Heat shock proteins: friend and foe?

The heat shock proteins (Hsps) are families of proteins first described and later named due to their production by cells exposed to sudden elevation in temperature. The Hsp response is ubiquitous throughout the pro- and eukaryotic kingdoms, and Hsps are extraordinarily evolutionarily conserved molec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical and experimental immunology 1991-10, Vol.86 (1), p.2-5
Main Authors: HARBOE, M., QUAYLE, A. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Autoimmune Diseases - immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
General aspects
Heat-Shock Proteins - physiology
Humans
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Summary:The heat shock proteins (Hsps) are families of proteins first described and later named due to their production by cells exposed to sudden elevation in temperature. The Hsp response is ubiquitous throughout the pro- and eukaryotic kingdoms, and Hsps are extraordinarily evolutionarily conserved molecules. The human homologue of the Hsp60 family, for example, has 40-50% sequence identify with the mycobacterial member, the 65-kDa antigen, and a further 20% conservative replacements. For this reason Hsps would be predicted to be poorly immunogenic. Quite to the contrary, evidence suggests that Hsps may be some of the most important immunogens of infectious agents. It has also been proposed that Hsps provide a link between immunity to infection and autoimmune disease. The evidence for, and anticipated consequences of, the immunogenicity of Hsps is discussed in this brief review.
ISSN:0009-9104
1365-2249
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2249.1991.tb05764.x