HMGB1 Induces Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition in Pulmonary Fibrosis by Inhibiting FOXO1

Background: Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix(ECM) is the common feature of pulmonary fibrosis(PF). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) is an important mechanism in the formation of ECM in PF. Emerging studies indicated that Forkhead box O 1(FOXO1), a transcription factor involved in regulating EMT, plays a vital role in the development of fibrosis disease. Previous studies showed that high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) can aggravate EMT in BLM-induced PF. However, whether FOXO1 participates in regulating EMT during PF with HMGB1 involving in the process has not yet been demonstrated.