IL-33 and HMGB1 modulate the progression of EAE via oppositely regulating each other

•The expression and release pattern of IL-33 and HMGB1 was opposite in EAE, with HMGB1 was dominant in pre-onset stage, while IL-33 was dominant in peak stage of EAE.•Blocking of extracellular HMGB1 in the central nervous system (CNS) and conditional knockout of HMGB1 in astrocytes decreased IL-33 release.•HMGB1 promoted the release of IL-33 from primary astrocytes, while IL-33 reduced the expression and release of HMGB1 from primary astrocytes in response to TNF-α stimulation in vitro.