HMGB1 and carotid atherosclerosis: Interestingly, the treatment of oxLDL upregulated HMGB1 in cultured SMCs unveiling the DAMP effect; however, S100B was decreased in both LDL and oxLDL groups suggesting HMGB1 to be the strong mediator in triggering sterile inflammation via the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in carotid atherosclerosis.