Recombinant HMGB1 induces morphological changes in endothelial cells and pericytes in an in vitro BBB model and, contrastingly, neutralizing antibody to HMGB1 reduced astrocyte swelling and detachment as well as opening of tight junctions using scanning electron microscopy in an in vivo ischemia–reperfusion model [58]. The gene discussed is HMGB1; the disease is ischemia.