In individuals with asthma, levels of HMGB1 in induced sputum were significantly elevated, and plasma HMGB1 levels were notably higher in patients with moderate and severe asthma when compared to their healthy counterparts (88, 89), suggesting that HMGB1 may play a role in initiating and perpetuating chronic inflammatory processes in both obesity and asthma. This evidence concerns the gene HMGB1 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.