Autophagy plays an essential role in the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and foam cell formation, and promoting the transformation of anti-inflammatory macrophages within the plaque [83], suggesting that HMGB1 may play a beneficial role in the progression of atherosclerosis and the prognosis of ischemic stroke through macrophage autophagy. Here, HMGB1 is linked to ischemic stroke.