Increased extracellular levels of the novel proinflammatory cytokine high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 in minor salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract

The increased amount of extracellular HMGB-1 observed in salivary glands of patients with SS indicates that HMGB-1 is involved in the inflammatory process of the disease. This cytokine, along with TNF and IL-1beta, may form a proinflammatory loop that promotes the chronic features of the glandular inflammation in SS.