HMGB1 values and response to HBV vaccine in children with celiac disease

OBJECTIVES: In addition to its wide clinical variability, celiac disease (CD) can also cause a lower response to the hepatitis B virus (HBV) than healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to examine high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) as a new potential marker of an inadequate response to HBV vaccine in children with CD at diagnosis before starting a gluten-free diet. METHODS: We recruited 49 children with CD who were tested at admission for immunization against HBV. Serum HMGB1 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. RESULTS: Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in nonresponders than in responders (P < 0.05). In the responders group in particular, with reference to the titer of vaccine response, we found a significantly higher serum HMGB1 level in the low responders (P < 0.001). We detected statistically significant higher values of HMGB1 in the typical form of disease presentation than in the atypical or silent form (P < 0.05). In the typical form, we showed even significantly higher HMGB1 values in low responders than in high responders (P < 0.001). With regard to the HLA haplotype and serum HMGB1 levels, any statistically significant difference was detected (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CD, HMGB1 could represent a new marker that is able to reflect the immune impairment that results in failure of the HBV vaccination.