HMGB1 and hematocrit: As shown in Figure 5A, the percentage of CD14+ HMGB1 monocytes was significantly higher in AITD patients than in controls in resting (11.3 ± 2.0 for HT, 10.6 ± 1.8 for GD Vs 6.5 ± 1.2 for HC) and CpG ODN activation (14.7 ± 2.2 for HT, 13.8 ± 2.6 for GD Vs 10.5 ± 2.1 for HC; all P < 0.01, respectively).