Curcumin Protects Against Concanavalin A-Induced Hepatitis in Mice Through Inhibiting the Cytoplasmic Translocation and Expression of High Mobility Group Box 1

The aims of this study were to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin on concanavalin A (ConA) induced hepatitis in mice, and to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Mice received curcumin by gavage before ConA intravenous administration. The results showed that curcumin pretreatment attenuated ConA-induced hepatitis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that serum levels of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) increased at 4 h and reached its peak value at 12 h after challenge with ConA; but this increase was significantly inhibited by curcumin. Furthermore, curcumin significantly decreased the HMGB1 translocation from nucleus to cytoplasm of hepatocytes in ConA-induced mice. The levels of HMGB1 mRNA and protein expression in the liver were also significantly lowered in curcumin-treated mice. In addition, curcumin inhibited intrahepatic expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 protein. In conclusion, the results indicated that curcumin protected against ConA-induced hepatitis in mice; and the beneficial effects may be partly through inhibition of HMGB1 translocation in hepatocytes, release into the plasma and expression in livers.     

Quercetin suppresses NF-κB and MCP-1 expression in a high glucose-induced human mesangial cell proliferation model

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is characterized by mesangial cell proliferation, is a common complication observed in diabetic patients. The protective effects of quercetin for DN have been reported; however, the mechanism has yet to be determined. We aimed to identify the underlying mechanism for quercetin protection against DN. High glucose (HG)-induced human mesangial cell (HMC) proliferation, a feature of the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, was employed as an in vitro model. Cells were grown in normal glucose (5.6 mM), high glucose (30 mM) or high glucose with various concentrations of quercetin. Cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and expression of NF-κB and MCP-1 were examined by MTT assay, DNA staining, immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis, respectively. HMCs cultured in high glucose had signficantly greater proliferation, accumulation in the G1 phase, upregulated NF-κB and MCP-1 expression. Quercetin treatment reversed the effects of high glucose in a dose-dependent manner. Cotreatment of quercetin with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of NF-κB activation, suggest that the effects of quercetin are partially mediated by NF-κB signaling. Quercetin partially suppresses the effects of high glucose in HMC cultures, which are mediated at least in part through the suppression of NF-κB.     

Chikusetsusaponin V attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice

Chikusetsusaponin V (CsV), a saponin from Panax japonicus, has been reported to inhibit inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage cells. However, whether CsV could alleviate LPS-induced liver injury in vivo and the potential mechanisms involved remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of CsV on LPS-induced acute liver injury in mice and further explored the potential mechanisms involved. Our results showed that CsV significantly attenuated elevation of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and improved liver histopathological changes in LPS-induced mice. In addition, CsV decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels and inhibited mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), TNF-α and IL-1β in LPS challenged mice. Furthermore, CsV inhibited nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation by downregulating phosphorylated NF-κB, IκB-α, ERK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 levels in the liver tissue, which ultimately decreased nucleus NF-κB protein level. In conclusion, our data suggested that CsV could be a promising drug for preventing LPS challenged liver injury since it attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory responses, partly via inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.     

Blockade of Notch signaling promotes acetaminophen-induced liver injury

Liver injury after experimental acetaminophen treatment is mediated both by direct hepatocyte injury through a P450-generated toxic metabolite and indirectly by activated liver Kupffer cells and neutrophils. This study was designed to investigate the role of Notch signaling in the regulation of innate immune responses in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. Using a mouse model of APAP-induced liver injury, wild-type (WT) and toll-like receptor 4 knockout (TLR4 KO) mice were injected intraperitoneally with APAP or PBS. Some animals were injected with γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT or DMSO vehicle. For the in vitro study, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) were transfected with Notch1 siRNA, TLR4 siRNA, and non-specific (NS) siRNA and stimulated with LPS. Indeed, paracetamol/acetaminophen-induced liver damage was worse after Notch blockade with DAPT in wild-type mice, which was accompanied by significantly increased ALT levels, diminished hairy and enhancer of split-1 (Hes1), and phosphorylated Stat3 and Akt but enhanced high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), TLR4, NF-κB, and NLRP3 activation after APAP challenge. Mice receiving DAPT increased macrophage and neutrophil accumulation and hepatocellular apoptosis. However, TLR4 KO mice that received DAPT reduced APAP-induced liver damage and NF-κB, NLRP3, and cleaved caspase-1 activation. BMMs transfected with Notch1 siRNA reduced Hes1 and phosphorylated Stat3 and Akt but augmented HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB, and NLRP3. Furthermore, TLR4 siRNA knockdown resulted in decreased NF-κB and NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β levels following LPS stimulation. These results demonstrate that Notch signaling regulates innate NLRP3 inflammasome activation through regulation of HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB activation in APAP-induced liver injury. Our novel findings underscore the critical role of the Notch1-Hes1 signaling cascade in the regulation of innate immunity in APAP-triggered liver inflammation. This might imply a novel therapeutic potential for the drug-induced damage-associated lethal hepatitis.     

Suppression of MAPK and NF-κB Pathways by Limonene Contributes to Attenuation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Acute Lung Injury

The present study aimed to investigate the protective role of limonene in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). ALI was induced in mice by intratracheal instillation of LPS (0.5 mg/kg), and limonene (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 1 h prior to LPS administration. After 12 h, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. Limonene pretreatment at doses of 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg decreased LPS-induced evident lung histopathological changes, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and lung myeloperoxidase activity. In addition, pretreatment with limonene inhibited inflammatory cells and proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 in BALF. Furthermore, we demonstrated that limonene blocked the phosphorylation of IκBα, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in LPS-induced ALI. The results presented here suggest that the protective mechanism of limonene may be attributed partly to decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines through the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK activation.     

Quercetin regulates oxidized LDL induced inflammatory changes in human PBMCs by modulating the TLR-NF-κB signaling pathway

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been shown to play a pivotal role in both innate and adaptive immune responses. TLR family is the essential recognition and signaling component of mammalian host defense. Both genetic and biochemical data support a common signaling pathway that finally leads to the activation of NF-κB and induction of the cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules required for the activation of the adaptive immune response. The present study was designed to examine the involvement of TLR2 and TLR4 in the oxidized LDL induced inflammation in human PBMCs and the effect of flavonoid quercetin on TLR-NF-κB signaling mechanism. LDL was isolated from human plasma and oxidation of LDL was done by incubating with 10 μM CuSO₄ overnight at 37 °C. The isolated human PBMCs in culture were used as the model system. 50 μg/ml ox-LDL treatment significantly up regulated TLR2 and TLR4 expression in isol human PBMCs after 24 h of culture and this was down regulated by quercetin at 25 μM concentration. ox-LDL caused a significant activation of NF-κB as evidenced by the detection of enhanced p65 subunit in nuclear extracts. Supplementation of quercetin significantly modulates the NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. The cytokine IL-6 production was significantly increased in ox-LDL treated group and was decreased by quercetin treatment. Quercetin mediated reduction of TLR2 and TLR4 expression and the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in turn decreased the inflammatory enzymes like 5-LOX and COX and also decreased the mRNA expression of inducible enzymes like COX-2 and iNOS. Quercetin inhibited the ox-LDL induced TLR2 and TLR4 expression at mRNA level and modulated the TLR-NF-κB signaling pathway thereby inhibited the cytokine production and down regulated the activity of inflammatory enzymes thus have protective effect against the ox-LDL induced inflammation in PBMCs.     

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体在前列腺癌细胞株PC-3M中对核因子kappa B活化的影响

目的：研究TRAIL诱导激素非依赖前列腺癌细胞株PC-3M过程中核因子kappa B（NF-κB）的活化和失活现象。方法： 当不同浓度的TRAIL和LPS作用于细胞后，我们通过细胞免疫组化染色和凝胶电泳迁移试验（EMSA）来检测NF-κB核转位的情况。并通过RT-PCR的方法粗略评定二硫代氨基甲酸吡咯烷（PDTC）对抑制蛋白IκB的影响。结果： EMSA和免疫组化分析显示PC-3M细胞中NF-κB的核转位可被TRAIL或LPS明显地激活。以PDTC预处理可以上调抑制蛋白IκB的表达，阻断NF-κB的核转位。结论： TRAIL的作用于激素非依赖前列腺癌细胞时主要的负作用在于其可以显著地刺激NF-κB的活化。另一方面，在PC-3M细胞凋亡过程中NF-κB的核转位可以被PDTC有力地抑制，同时IκB的表达升高和降解减少（PDTC引起的）是抑制NF-κB活化的潜在因素，为我们提出了增强TRAIL疗效的可能性方案。     

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) attenuates concanavalin A-induced hepatic injury in mice

(−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant polyphenolic compound present in green tea and has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of EGCG against concanavalin A (ConA)-induced liver injury and the underlying mechanisms. EGCG (5 mg/kg) was administered orally by gavage to mice twice daily for 10 days before an intravenous injection of ConA. We found that EGCG effectively rescued lethality, improved hepatic pathological damage, and decreased serum levels of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) in ConA-challenged mice. Furthermore, EGCG also significantly prevented the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-6 in serum, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and restored glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver tissues from ConA-challenged mice. Finally, nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation and expression levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4 and TLR9 protein in liver tissues were significantly inhibited by EGCG pretreatment. Taken together, our data suggest that EGCG possesses hepatoprotective properties against ConA-induced liver injury through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions.     

Ectopic B7-H4-Ig expression attenuates concanavalin A-induced hepatic injury

Previous studies demonstrate that both membrane B7-H4 and B7-H4-Ig fusion protein could inhibit T-cell responses. In the present study, we explored the potential effect of B7-H4-Ig on liver injury in a hepatitis mouse model induced by concanavalin A (ConA). A B7-H4-Ig construct was introduced into animals by the hydrodynamic gene delivery approach. It was found that ectopic expression of B7-H4-Ig could inhibit ConA-induced elevation of serum levels of ALT and AST, suppress liver necrosis and even mortality of mice. Furthermore, we observed that pretreatment of B7-H4-Ig dramatically decreased serum levels and the expression of mRNA for IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4, but increased IL-10 in ConA-treated mice. Our results suggest that B7-H4-Ig may protect animals from liver injury induced by ConA, which could be associated with reduced serum levels for IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4 as well as enhanced IL-10 production.     

RSUME促进小鼠垂体腺瘤细胞AtT-20凋亡

目的探讨小泛素化修饰增强子(RSUME)、核转录因子-κB抑制因子-α(IκB-α)及核转录因子-κB 1(NF-κB1)在小鼠垂体腺瘤中表达及其细胞凋亡的影响。方法用RSUME小干扰RNA(siRNA)转染At T-20细胞后,用蛋白印迹及实时荧光定量PCR检测RSUME、NF-κB1和IκB-α蛋白的表达及mRNA的表达,流式细胞计量术检测细胞凋亡。结果在蛋白水平,RSUME-siRNA转染后RSUME及IκB-α表达下调(P0.05),NF-κB1则上调(P0.05);在mRNA水平,转染后RSUME mRNA表达水平明显低于转染前(P0.05),而IκB-α及NF-κB1 mRNA水平无明显变化;转染后细胞凋亡率明显升高。结论 RSUME可以通过NF-κB1促进小鼠At T-20垂体腺瘤细胞的凋亡。     

Suppression of nuclear factor kappa B ameliorates astrogliosis but not amyloid burden in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice

Neuroinflammation has been linked to the pathologies of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, its effects on beta-amyloid (Aβ) burden are unclear. This study investigated the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in regulating neuroinflammation and Aβ deposition in a transgenic mouse model of AD. The APPswe/PS1dE9 mice and their wild-type controls received either the NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, i.p. 50 mg/kg daily) or saline starting at 7 months of age for 5 months. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tissue necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) precursor protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 was determined, and astrogliosis was assessed. Hippocampal and cortical levels of Aβ_1-40 and Aβ_1-42 were measured using ELISA. PDTC treatment effectively suppressed NF-κB signaling in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice as evidenced by the abolishment of COX-2 and TNFα induction. Inhibition of NF-κB further attenuated astrogliosis in the transgenic AD mice, yet markedly increased cerebral Aβ_1-42 burden. Our findings suggest that NF-κB can mediate induction of COX-2, TNFα and astrogliosis in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Additionally, these results support the idea that neuroinflammation contributes to the clearance of Aβ.     

Valproic Acid Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in a range of diseases including septic shock. However, the effects of VPA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) remains not well understood. We found that VPA pretreatment attenuated the LPS-induced ALI, as evidenced by the reduced histological scores, myeloperoxidase activity, and wet-to-dry weight ratio in the lung tissues. This was accompanied by the downregulated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, nitric oxide, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the lung tissues and the decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1β in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, VPA reduced the nuclear histone deacetylase (HDAC)3 expression whereas increased the cytoplasmic HDAC3 expression. Our results suggested that VPA attenuates the LPS-induced ALI via inhibiting the NF-κB activation probably through a mechanism depending on HDAC3 redistribution.     

Protective Effects of Chymostatin on Paraquat-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

This study aims to evaluate the role of chymostatin in paraquat-induced acute lung injury. Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly distributed into the NS, DMSO, chymostatin, paraquat or chymostatin treatment groups. Six mice from each group were intraperitoneally injected with chloral hydrate at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after treatment administration. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture. Lung tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin for the observation of lung histology. The degree of pulmonary oedema was determined on the basis of lung wet-to-dry ratio (W/D). The serum activity of cathepsin G was determined through substrate fluorescence assay. The serum levels of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan), tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) were determined through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of endocan and nuclear NF-κBp65 in the lung were quantified through Western blot. Chymostatin alleviated the pathological changes associated with acute alveolitis in mice; decreased the lung W/D ratio, the activity of cathepsin G and the serum concentrations of TNF-a, IL-1β, IL-6 and HMGB1; and increased the serum concentration of endocan. Western blot results revealed that chymostatin up-regulated endocan expression and down-regulated nuclear NF-κBp65 expression in the lung. Chymostatin reversed the inflammatory effects of paraquat-induced lung injury by inhibiting cathepsin G activity to up-regulate endocan expression and indirectly inhibit NF-κBp65 activity.     

Biphasic activation of nuclear factor kappa B and expression of p65 and c-Rel after traumatic brain injury in rats

Background and object

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) functions as a key regulator in the central nervous system and regulates the inflammatory pathway. There are two peaks of cerebral NF-κB activation after neonatal hypoxia–ischemia and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Our previous studies found that NF-κB activity was up-regulated at an early stage and remained elevated at day 7 after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, data are lacking regarding an overview of NF-κB activity and expression of NF-κB subunits after TBI. Hence, the current study was designed to detect the time course of NF-κB activation and expression of NF-κB p65 and c-Rel subunits around the contused cortex following TBI.

Methods

Adult Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham and TBI groups at different time points. A TBI model was induced, and then the NF-κB DNA-binding activity in the surrounding areas of injured brain was detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Western blotting was used to measure the protein levels of p65 and c-Rel in the nucleus. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, the distribution of c-Rel and p65 was examined by immunohistochemical studies.

Results

There were double peaks of cerebral cortical NF-κB activity, at 3 and 10 days post-injury. Additionally, protein levels of p65 were found to be elevated and peaked at 3 days after TBI, while levels of c-Rel were elevated significantly during the later phase of injury. Furthermore, TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations also showed a biphasic increase.

Conclusions

Biphasic activation of NF-κB could be induced after experimental TBI in rats. NF-κB p65 and c-Rel subunits were elevated at different post-TBI time periods, leading to a hypothesis that different NF-κB subunits might be involved in different pathophysiological processes after TBI.     

转录因子NF-κB在内毒素休克中的作用

目的探讨内毒素休克大鼠组织炎性介质的表达特征及其和核转录因子NFκB(nuclearfactorkappaB)的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学技术检测脂多糖(lippolysaccharice,LPS)内毒素休克大鼠肝肾组织转录因子NFκB、炎性介质ICAM1、VCAM1、iNOS的表达。结果LPS内毒素休克大鼠肝肾组织转录因子NFκBp65,炎性介质ICAM1、VCAM1、iNOS阳性细胞率高于正常对照组;炎性介质ICAM-1、VCAM-1、iNOS阳性细胞率与NF-κBp65阳性细胞率成正相关。用吡咯烷二硫氨基甲酸(pyrrolidinedithiocarbmate,PDTC)抑制转录因子NFκB的内毒素休克大鼠炎性介质ICAM1、VCAM1、iNOS阳性细胞率低于LPS组。结论核转录因子NFκB在LPS引起的大鼠内毒素休克炎性介质的表达中起调节作用。     

黄芪甲苷通过toll样受体4/核因子κB通路介导辐射所致肾损伤的防护作用

目的 探讨黄芪甲苷（AS-Ⅳ）是否通过toll样受体4（TLR4）/核因子κB（NF-κB）介导的信号通路对辐射诱导肾脏损伤起到保护作用。 方法 将小鼠分为正常对照组、DMSO溶剂组、辐射组(IR)、IR + AS-Ⅳ 20 mg/kg 组和IR + AS-Ⅳ 40 mg/kg 组。小鼠给予AS-Ⅳ腹腔注射1个月后,以8Gy的60Coγ进行全身辐射。测定血清肌酐（Cr）和尿酸（BUA）的含量,进行肾组织HE和免疫组织化学染色,并检测肾脏TLR4/NF-κB信号通路相关蛋白的表达情况。 结果 与对照组相比,辐射组小鼠血清中Cr和BUA含量明显升高（P<0.001）,肾小球萎缩,肾小管扩张,TLR4和髓样分化因子88（MyD88）阳性表达明显增多(P<0.001),且TLR4/NF-κB信号通路相关蛋白［TLR4、MyD88、NF-κB、白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）和肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）］表达极显著升高（P<0.01）;AS-Ⅳ预处理能降低血清中Cr和BUA的含量（P<0.05, P<0.01或 P<0.001）,明显改善辐射所致的病理反应,降低TLR4/NF-κB 信号通路相关蛋白的表达（P<0.05或 P<0.01）。 结论 AS-Ⅳ可能通过TLR4/NF-κB信号通路下调炎症因子的释放,从而改善辐射诱导的小鼠肾损伤,发挥保护作用。     

NF-κB信号途径在小鼠狼疮性肾炎发病中的可能作用

目的:探讨NF-κB信号途径在小鼠狼疮性肾炎发病中的可能作用。方法:选取16周龄的雄性BXSB小鼠(狼疮性肾炎模型组)和同周龄C57BL/6小鼠(正常对照组)作为研究对象,透射电镜和PAS染色观察肾组织的超微结构形态改变;RT-PCR技术检测小鼠全血中HMGB1mRNA的表达变化。采用ELISA方法检测血清中HMGB1蛋白浓度;免疫组织化学检测肾组织中HMGB1和PCNA蛋白的表达变化;Western blot和流式细胞术检测肾组织中RAGE、p-NF-κB和IκB蛋白的表达。结果:16周时,与正常的C57BL/6小鼠相比,BXSB小鼠血清中BUN水平及尿中微球白蛋白水平明显升高;与正常的C57BL/6小鼠相比,BXSB小鼠全血中HMGB1mRNA水平和血清中HMGB1蛋白浓度明显升高;16周时,与正常的C57BL/6小鼠相比,BXSB基底膜明显增厚,部分足突融合,内皮细胞下可见团块状电子致密物沉积;与正常的C57BL/6小鼠相比,BXSB小鼠肾组织的肾小球中可见较多的PCNA阳性表达,肾小管上皮细胞核内也可见少量的表达;BXSB小鼠肾组织中HMGB1蛋白表达升高,HMGB1蛋白尤其在细胞增生明显而肥大的肾小球呈高表达,主要位于细胞浆和细胞外;而在C57BL/6小鼠肾脏组织中以小管细胞核表达为主;与对照组相比,BXSB小鼠肾组织p-NF-κB和RAGE蛋白表达明显升高;而IκB蛋白表达明显降低;HMGB1蛋白与p-NF-κB蛋白表达呈显著正相关(r=0.833,P=0.000);p-NF-κB蛋白与RAGE蛋白表达呈显著正相关(r=0.621,P=0.018);HMGB1蛋白与RAGE蛋白表达呈显著正相关(r=0.848,P=0.000);p-NF-κB蛋白与IκB蛋白表达呈显著负相关(r=-0.759,P=0.002)。结论:HMGB1在小鼠狼疮性肾炎中的致炎作用可能部分通过结合其受体RAGE,激活NF-κB信号途径,促进肾小球固有细胞的增生,从而导致增生性肾小球肾炎形成而实现的。     

High-mobility group box 1 exacerbates concanavalin A-induced hepatic injury in mice

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a nuclear factor released extracellularly as an early endogenous alarmin of inflammation following injury and as a late mediator of lethality in sepsis. Although HMGB1 has been implicated in acute lung injury, rheumatoid arthritis, and allograft rejection, its role in T-cell mediated hepatitis remains obscure. Here, we investigated the role and the underlying mechanisms of HMGB1 in concanavalin A (Con A) induced hepatic injury. We demonstrate that high levels of HMGB1 were detected in the necrotic area and in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes after Con A treatment. Administration of exogenous recombinant HMGB1 enhanced Con A-induced hepatitis, while blockade of HMGB1 protected animals from T cell-mediated hepatitis as evidenced by decreased serum transaminase, associated with reduced hepatic necrosis and mortality. Blockade of HMGB1 by a neutralizing antibody inhibited proinflammatory cytokine production, NFκB activity, and the late stage of T/NKT cell activation. These finding thus suggest a pivotal factor of HMGB1 in Con A-induced hepatitis. Blockage of extracellular HMGB1 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent hepatic injury in T cell-mediated hepatitis.