HMGB1 and LPS induce distinct patterns of gene expression and activation in neutrophils from patients with sepsis-induced acute lung injury.

Objectives Circulating levels of the proinflammatory mediator High Mobility Group Box Protein 1 (HMGB1) are increased in septic patients and may contribute to sepsis-induced organ dysfunction. Although HMGB1 has been shown to activate neutrophils from healthy volunteers, the responses of neutrophils from septic patients to HMGB1 have not been reported. In the present study we evaluated gene expression and activation of major intracellular signaling pathways in peripheral blood neutrophils obtained from patients with sepsis-induced acute lung injury after culture with HMGB1 or LPS.