Anti-HMGB1 Antibody Therapy Ameliorates Spinal Cord Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits

Spinal cord ischemia–reperfusion (SCI/R) injury remains a major clinical challenge with limited therapeutic options. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a proinflammatory mediator released during cellular stress, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemia–reperfusion-induced neural damage. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective potential of the anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a rabbit model of SCI/R injury. Male New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized and subjected to 11 min of abdominal aortic occlusion using a micro-bulldog clamp following heparinization. Anti-HMGB1 mAb or control IgG was administered intravenously immediately after reperfusion and again at 6 h post-reperfusion. Neurological function was assessed at 6, 24, and 48 h after reperfusion using the modified Tarlov scoring system. The rabbits were euthanized 48 h after reperfusion for spinal cord and blood sampling. Treatment with anti-HMGB1 mAb significantly improved neurological outcomes, reduced the extent of spinal cord infarction, preserved motor neuron viability, and decreased the presence of activated microglia and infiltrating neutrophils. Furthermore, it attenuated apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in the spinal cord, and helped maintain the integrity of the blood–spinal cord barrier. These findings suggest that anti-HMGB1 mAb may serve as a promising therapeutic agent for SCI/R injury.