Increased Serum HMGB-1, ICAM-1 and Metalloproteinase-9 Levels in Buerger's Patients.

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), or Buerger's disease, is an inflammatory occlusive disorder that affects the limb arteries of young smokers. In the aetiology of TAO the immune system appears to play a critical role; however, information on the aspects involved in the evolution of vascular tissue inflammation and of this disease are still limited.This study was carried out to investigate HMGB-1 (high mobility group box-1), MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)- 2, MMP-9, MMP-11 and ICAM (intercellular adhesion molecule)-1 circulating levels in subjects with Buerger's disease.Between January 2010 and December 2012, eight patients underwent surgical revascularization of the lower limbs and a specimen of the affected arterial wall was obtained for histological confirmation of Buerger's disease. A blood sample was collected on the same day for measuring HMGB-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 and ICAM-1 by western blot analysis. Controls (n=7) were healthy non-smokers.TAO subjects had a significant increase in HMGB-1, MMP-9 and ICAM-1 compared with controls (P<.0001), while no differences were observed in MMP-2 and MMP-11 levels. Histology confirmed a strong inflammatory infiltrate with signs of necrosis in the arterial wall.These data suggest a role for HMGB -1 in the vascular lesions associated with TAO, unveiling HMGB-1 as a potential target for treating this rare disease.