Role of HMGB1/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in silicosis combined COPD

Our results revealed GA as HMGB1 inhibitor that could suppress fibrotic progression and alleviate inflammatory in silicosis complicated with COPD through inhibiting fibrosis-related proteins including Vimentin and α-SMA expression in the lung tissue of rat model. HMGB1, NLRP3, NF-κB-p-p65 were activated in silicosis complicated with COPD, which was suppressed by GA treatment in vivo. Furthermore, HMGB1, NLRP3, NF-κB-p-p65 were increased in silicosis complicated with COPD patients.