Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease with distinctive features of focal demyelination, axonal loss, activation of glial cells, and immune cells infiltration. The precise molecular mechanism underlying the disease progression remains enigmatic despite of the rapid progression on experimental and clinical MS research. The focus of MS therapy relies on the repression of the pathogenic autoimmune response without compromising an adaptive immune response. High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein is a ubiquitous nuclear protein driving pro-inflammatory responses as well as targeting innate immune signaling that initiates and mediates autoimmunity as well as sterile injury. A considerable amount of experimental and human studies suggests the contribution of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of MS/experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). In this regard, HMGB1 protein has gained increased attention, as an emerging possible therapeutic target against MS. This is more strengthened by the promising therapeutic outcome demonstrated by HMGB1 neutralizing agents in the experimental EAE model. Herein, we attempt to shed more light on the molecular crosstalk of HMGB1 protein in the pathogenesis of MS/EAE suggesting that HMGB1 blockade could impede the pro-inflammatory loop that drives MS autoimmunity.
Malaysian Gelam honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, a high antioxidant capacity, and free radical-scavenging activity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates immune cells to sequentially release early pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and induces the synthesis of several related enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the intravenous injection of honey in rats with LPS-induced endotoxemia. The results showed that after 4h of treatment, honey reduced cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukins 1β, and 10) and NO levels and increased heme oxygenase-1 levels. After 24h, a decrease in cytokines and NO and an increase in HO-1 were seen in all groups, whereas a reduction in HMGB1 occurred only in the honey-treated groups. These results support the further examination of honey as a natural compound for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory diseases.
Dengue is one of the most significant mosquito-borne virus diseases worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study sought to examine the antiviral activity of resveratrol (RESV), a phytoalexin secreted naturally by plants, against dengue virus (DENV) infection. Our data showed that RESV inhibits the translocation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a DNA binding protein that normally resides in the nucleus, into the cytoplasm and extracellular milieu. HMGB1 migrates out of the nucleus during DENV infection. This migration is inhibited by RESV treatment and is mediated by induction of Sirt1 which leads to the retention of HMGB1 in the nucleus and consequently helps in the increased production of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Nuclear HMGB1 was found to bind to the promoter region of the ISG and positively regulated the expression of ISG. The enhanced transcription of ISGs by nuclear HMGB1 thus contributes to the antiviral activity of RESV against DENV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that RESV antagonizes DENV replication and that nuclear HMGB1 plays a role in regulating ISG production.