HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90 EXPRESSION AND ITS CLINICAL RELEVANCE IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSIS

Abstract

The heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of constitutive proteins with important physiological functions, whose synthes is is enhanced by elevated temperature and other stressf ul conditions. Heat shock proteins act as immunological target structure either by themselves because of an unus ual expression pattern, or they are carrier proteins for immunogenic peptides.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by immunological dysfunction affecting skin, lung, heart and muscles.

The aim of this study was to assess the state of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) expression in SLE and to clarify the relation between HSP90 expression and disease process and activity. This study was performed on 34 SLE patients and 13 control subjects of matching age and sex. HSP90 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was detected using Western bLotting technique.

HSP90 was detectable m 29.4% (out of 34) of SLE patients and in non of the control group. The protein expression was significantly associated with some parameters of disease activity. Evidences suggest that HSP90 may play a potential role in etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Further studies on a larger scale may clarify the exact role of HSP90 in SLE which may be of help in management of the disease.