HMGB1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Accordingly, high levels of HMGB1 as well as negative correlation between HMGB1 levels and lung function have been described in the context of chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF) (Chirico et al. 2015; Gangemi et al. 2015; Liou et al. 2012).