Because others have suggested that danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) can activate inflammasomes in type 2 diabetes [7], we wanted to investigate whether the cytosolic HMGB1 could stimulate formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the retina, as well as the role of Epac1 in this activation. The gene discussed is NLRP3; the disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus.