Immunohistochemistry study of high mobility group box-1 protein in autoimmune hepatitis

Objective To investigate the potential role of human high mobility group box-1 protein(HMGB1)in pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH).Methods Specimens from 55 AIH liver biopsies and 10 normal livers were stained and the expression of HMGB1 was observed by immunohistochemistry method.Results Markedly correlation was proved that HMGB1 expressed much more strongly in AIH hepatocytes than that in healthy control.Data showed that HMGB1 protein was mainly found in nucleus of hepatocyte and Kuffer cells,as well as in the inflammatory cells which aggregated in inflammatory and necrotic area.Conclusion HMGB1 is an important inflammatory mediator in pathogenesis of AIH,which may shed light on understanding of AIH and provide a potential target for AIH control.