High mobility group box1 protein is involved in acute inflammation induced by Clostridium difficile toxin A.

High mobility group box1 (HMGB1), as a damage-associated inflammatory factor, contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we explored the role of HMGB1 in CDI (Clostridium difficile infection) by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Our results showed that HMGB1 might play an important role in the acute inflammatory responses to C. difficile toxin A (TcdA), affect early inflammatory factors, and induce inflammation via the HMGB1-TLR4 pathway. Our study provides the essential information for better understanding the molecular mechanisms of CDI and the potential new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this infection.