HMGB1 and infection: In the context of epithelial cells, LPS transfection of IEC led to HMGB1 release (46) and infection of gingival epithelial cells with Fusobacterium nucleatum drove release of HMGB1 alongside Asc and IL-1β secretion (107), suggesting that inflammasomes may be involved in the active secretion of HMGB1 from IEC.