HMGB1 and colorectal carcinoma: In addition, HMGB1 or BECN1 knockdown significantly increased apoptosis, whereas Tat-BECN1 treatment noticeably decreased the apoptotic population and the level of cleaved caspase 3 in HMGB1-depleted CRC cells (Figures 6C; Supplementary Figures S4D, E).