High mobility group box 1: as a 'testament' mediator

In general, cells responded to stresses by the following hierarchy: (1) stored mediator release reaction phase (e.g. serotonin, histamine); (2) lipid mediator generation/release phase (e.g. PGs, LTs, endocannabinoids); (3) genomic reaction phase (e.g. self-defensive protein generation phase through NF-κB, AP-1 activation). As the last response, we propose (4) high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) releases from necrotic cells. In this study we present intracellular and intercellular dynamics of HMGB1, and their roles in the pathogenesis in inflammation and organ failures.