The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) is a ubiquitous nuclear protein constitutively expressed in quiescent cells, and it has been implicated in several cellular functions, including determination of nucleosomal structure and stability, and binding of transcription factors to DNA sequences. HMGB-1 has been recently recognized as a critical mediator of inflammatory diseases. In fact, the passive release of this protein from necrotic or damaged cells represents an effective stimulus triggering the inflammatory response. Specifically, HMGB-1 binds to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and, in turns, it activates mitogen-activated protein-kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB).