@article{article,
  keywords = {Erythema Nodosum Leprosum, high-mobility group box 1, messenger ribonucleic acid, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors,  leprosy},
  author = {Noviyanthi RA and Natzir R and Djawad K and Wahab S and Rusyati LMM and Dwiyanti R and Junita AR and Azhar A and Primaguna MR and Purnamasari NI and Syukri A and Saleh AE and Febrianty A and Hatta M},
  title = {Differential Expression and Correlation of High-mobility Group Box 1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid across Leprosy Clinical Groups and Healthy Controls: A Cross-sectional Study},
  abstract = {<p><strong>Background:</strong></p>

<p>Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an acute inflammatory complication of multibacillary leprosy. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) mediates inflammatory signaling, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates angiogenesis and vascular permeability. We compared whole-blood HMGB1 and VEGF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression across leprosy groups and assessed their correlations.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:</strong></p>

<p>This cross-sectional study included 146 participants: 35 with ENL, 36 with multibacillary leprosy without ENL, 38 with paucibacillary leprosy, and 37 healthy controls. HMGB1 and VEGF mRNA expression was measured by one-step SYBR Green quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Group differences were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc testing, correlations by Pearson{\textquoteright}s coefficient, and ENL versus multibacillary disease by multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, bacterial index, and disease duration.</p>

<p><strong>Results:</strong></p>

<p>HMGB1 expression differed across groups (13.530, 12.478, 9.585, and 9.442; F[3,142] =1579.960; P \&lt; 0.001; η 2 = 0.971), as did VEGF (10.992, 9.885, 8.341, and 8.277; F[3,142] =656.570; P \&lt; 0.001; η 2 = 0.933). ENL showed the highest expression; multibacillary leprosy without ENL was intermediate, and paucibacillary leprosy did not differ from controls. After adjustment, ENL remained associated with higher HMGB1 (B = 1.223; 95\% confidence interval [CI]: 0.907{\textendash}1.539) and VEGF expression (B = 1.327; 95\% CI: 0.991{\textendash}1.662); both P \&lt; 0.001. HMGB1 and VEGF were strongly correlated within all groups ( r = 0.980{\textendash}0.989; all P \&lt; 0.001).</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions:</strong></p>

<p>ENL was associated with the highest HMGB1 and VEGF mRNA expression. Their strong co-variation does not establish a direct HMGB1{\textendash}VEGF pathway or diagnostic validity.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {The International Journal of Mycobacteriology},
  volume = {15},
  pages = {272 - 281},
  month = {09/2026},
  publisher = {Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)},
  issn = {2212-5531, 2212-554X},
  url = {https://www.ovid.com/jnls/ijmy/pdf/10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_145_26~differential-expression-and-correlation-of-high-mobility},
  doi = {10.4103/ijmy.ijmy_145_26},
  language = {ENG},
}