Presence of antibody against the inducible Hsp71 in patients with acute heat-induced illness

Effect of heat stress on DNA damage: a systematic literature review

Thermal stress has a direct effect on various types of DNA damage, which depends on the stage of the cell cycle when the cell is exposed to different climate conditions. A literature review was conducted to systematically investigate and assess the overall effect of heat stress and DNA damage following heat exposure. In this study, electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to find relevant literature on DNA damage in different ambient temperatures. Outcomes included (1) measurement of DNA damage in heat exposure, (2) three different quantification methods (comet assay, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and γ-H2AX), and (3) protocols used for moderate (31) and high temperatures (42). The evidence shows that long exposure and very high temperature can induce an increase in DNA damage through aggregate in natural proteins, ROS generation, cell death, and reproductive damage in hot-humid and hot-dry climate conditions. A substantial increase in DNA damage occurs following acute heat stress exposure, especially in tropical and subtropical climate conditions. The results of this systematic literature review showed a positive association between thermal stress exposure and inhibition of repair of DNA damage.

Anti-heat shock protein 70 levels in gingival crevicular fluid of Japanese patients with chronic periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease involving complex tripartite cross-interactions among bacterial, host and environment factors. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are a protein family produced in response to stress conditions. Hsps protect cells under adverse circumstances such as infection, inflammation and disease. One of the causes of periodontal disease is thought to be an imbalance in the expression of Hsps and anti-Hsp antibodies. Hsps are classified according to their molecular weight, and one of the major ones is Hsp70. In the present study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of anti-Hsp70 antibody in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from two gingival sulci in each of nine patients with chronic periodontitis (CP): one healthy control (HC) site with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of ≤3 mm and one CP site with a PPD of >5 mm. Anti-Hsp70 antibody levels in GCF were higher at HC sites than at CP sites. Moreover, the anti-Hsp70 antibody levels were found to increase after initial periodontal therapy at both HC and CP sites. These results suggest an association of anti-Hsp70 antibody with periodontitis.

Antibodies to Heat Shock Proteins 90α and 90β in Psoriasis

One of many hypotheses of psoriasis pathogenesis supposes an overexpression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in different skin layers and systemic immunologic response to them. Hsp90 is one of the most abundant chaperone in eukaryotic cells. The number of studies concerning the role of Hsp90 and anti-Hsp90 antibodies in etiopathogenesis of various diseases is also constantly expanding. Still, there are not many reports concerning potential involvement of this Hsp family or anti-Hsp90 immunization in pathomechanism of psoriasis. The aim of the study was the estimation of anti-Hsp90α and anti-Hsp90β IgG antibodies in the sera of the psoriatic patients at different phases of disease activity in comparison to the sera of healthy individuals. The study material consisted of sera from psoriasis patients (n = 80) in active phase and in the remission phase and healthy individuals (n = 80). Concentrations of anti-Hsp90α and anti-Hsp90β IgG antibodies were determined using ELISA technique. In the patients with psoriasis (both in the active phase of the disease and in the remission phase) concentrations of anti-Hsp90α antibodies were significantly higher than in healthy individuals and they correlated positively with psoriasis area severity index values. The mean concentrations of anti-Hsp90β antibodies in the psoriatic patients and healthy controls were comparable. The obtained results indicate an existence of increased immunological response to Hsp90α in psoriasis. It may suggest the role of the extracellular form of this chaperone and/or anti-Hsp90α antibodies in etiopathogenesis of this dermatosis. The inhibition of Hsp90α may represent a novel therapeutic approach to treat psoriasis.

Significance of serum antibodies against HSP 60 and HSP 70 for the diagnostic of infectious diseases

Heat shock proteins (HSP) represent important antigenic targets for the immune response, playing an important role in the pathology and infectious diseases control. The purpose of this work was to investigate the levels of HSP60 and HSP70 specific antibodies in the bloodstream of patients with different bacterial infections and cancer, in order to evaluate their potential role as diagnosis markers of different infectious diseases. Detection of specific anti-HSP 60 and HSP 70 serum levels was performed by ELISA. Statistical analysis of data by multivariate logistic regression was performed using GraphPadPrism software and statistical tests based on chi-square and Student t-test. High levels of anti-HSP60 were found in patients with localized infections, while the levels of anti- HSP70 were higher in the group with generalized infections. The serum levels of both anti-HSP 60 and anti-HSP70 were significantly increased in patients with Gram-negative bacterial infections, as compared with patients harbouring infections produced by Gram-positive and fungal strains, demonstrating their potential use as additional diagnosis and prognosis markers in infections with this etiology.

HspA1A facilitates DNA repair in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to Benzo[a]pyrene and interacts with casein kinase 2

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a ubiquitously distributed environmental pollutant that induces deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. The inducible heat shock protein (HspA1A) can function as a molecular chaperone; however, its role in DNA repair remains largely unknown. In the present study, human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) stably transfected with plasmids carrying HspA1A gene or shRNAs against HspA1A were treated with BaP. DNA damage levels of the cells were evaluated by comet assay. Results suggest that HspA1A could protect cells against DNA damage and facilitate the decrease of DNA damage levels during the first 2 h of DNA repair. DNA repair capacity (DRC) of Benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE)-DNA adducts was evaluated by host cell reactivation assay in the stable 16HBE cells transfected with luciferase reporter vector PCMVluc pretreated with BPDE. Compared with control cells, cells overexpressing HspA1A showed higher DRC (p < 0.01 at 10 μM BPDE and p < 0.05 at 20 μM BPDE, respectively), while knockdown of HspA1A inhibited DNA repair (p < 0.05 at 10 μM BPDE). Moreover, casein kinase 2 (CK2) was shown to interact with HspA1A by mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation assays. The two proteins were co-localized in the cell nucleus and perinuclear region during DNA repair, and were identified by confocal laser scanning microscope. In addition, cells overexpressing HspA1A showed an increased CK2 activity after BaP treatment compared with control cells (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that HspA1A facilitates DNA repair after BaP treatment. HspA1A also interacts with CK2 and enhances the kinase activities of CK2 during DNA repair.

Genotoxicity and reduced heat shock protein 70 in human airway smooth muscle cells exposed to cigarette smoke extract

Cigarette smoke is associated with the development of several diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to investigate genotoxicity and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). HASMCs was exposed to CSE with different doses for 24 h. The level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was determined by using HPLC-ECD, the DNA damage was analyzed by using comet assay, and apoptosis was examined by using Annexin-FITC/PI staining. The production of Hsp70 after CSE stimulation was tested. Results indicated that CSE significantly increased the level of 8-OHdG, DNA damage and cell apoptosis, and reduced the production of Hsp70. In particular, levels of Hsp70 were inversely correlated with 8-OHdG, DNA damage and cell apoptosis. It was concluded that cigarette smoke induced genotoxicity and decreased the production of cell protective protein Hsp70, which may contribute to the development of some airway diseases.

The pathopysiology of heat stroke: an integrative view of the final common pathway

Heat stroke is defined as a condition in which body temperature is elevated to such a level that it becomes a noxious agent causing body tissue dysfunction and damage with a characteristic multi-organ clinical and pathological syndrome. Marked hyperthermia, usually above 40.5°C and associated encephalopathy, occurs after thermoregulation is subordinated to circulatory and metabolic demands and to the associated systemic inflammatory reaction. Exertional heat stroke is a function of both intrinsic and extrinsic modulators. Intrinsic modulators like genetics, fitness, acclimatization, illness, medications, and sleep quality can alter individual risk and outcomes, while extrinsic modulators like exercise intensity and duration, clothing and equipment, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation can affect the group risk and outcomes. This review integrates the current theoretical and accepted knowledge of physiological alterations into one model that depicts a common pathway from heat stress to heat stroke.

Hsp-72, a candidate prognostic indicator of heatstroke

Exposure of rats to environmental heat enhances the expression of heat shock protein-72 (Hsp-72) in most of their organs proportionally to heat stress severity. Pre-induction or over-expression of Hsp-72 prevents organ damage and lethality, suggesting that heat shock proteins (Hsps) may have a pathogenic role in this condition. We investigated the expression profile of Hsps in baboons subjected to environmental heat stress until the core temperature attained 42.5 degrees C (moderate heatstroke) or occurrence of hypotension associated with core temperature > or = 43.5 degrees C (severe heatstroke). Western blot analysis demonstrated a differential induction of Hsp-72 among organs of heat-stressed animals with the highest induction in the liver and the lowest in lung. Hsp-60 and Hsc-70 expression was similar between control and heat-stressed animals. ELISA studies indicated a marked release of Hsp-72 into the circulation of baboons with severe heatstroke with a peak at 24 h post-heatstroke onset and remained sustained up to 72 h. Hsp-72 release was not associated with core temperature or systolic blood pressure, but correlated with markers of liver, myocardium, and skeletal muscle tissue necrosis. Non-survivors displayed significantly higher Hsp-72 levels than survivors. No Hsp-60 was detected in the circulation. These findings add further evidence that increased expression of Hsp-72 may be an important component of the host response to severe heatstroke. They also suggest that extracellular Hsp-72 is a marker of multiple organs tissue damage. Whether extracellular Hsp-72 plays a role in the host immune response to heat stress merits further studies.

Correlations and co-localizations of Hsp70 with XPA, XPG in human bronchial epithelia cells exposed to benzo[a]pyrene

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a ubiquitously distributed environmental pollutant known to cause DNA damage, which may be repaired through nucleotide excision repair (NER). The significantly negative correlation between Hsp70 levels and the level of DNA damage in workers exposed to coke oven emission had been found. However, little is known about how Hsp70 modulate the DNA repair process. In a series of experiments using the human bronchial epithelia cells (16HBE) exposed to different concentrations of BaP for 24h, we measured expression of NER subunit xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) group A, C, F, G (XPA, XPC, XPF, XPG), excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1) and Hsp70, and analyzed their possible correlations. Co-localizations of Hsp70 with NER subunit were detected by confocal microscope. We found that in vitro exposure to BaP reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner ranging from 2 to 64 microM. Our results showed that levels of XPA, XPG and Hsp70 significantly increased at cells exposed to 1 or 2muM BaP. In addition, curve estimation showed there was a significant correlation between relative ratios of Hsp70 and XPA, XPG in cells exposed to different concentrations of BaP. Moreover, confocal microscopy demonstrated increased co-localization of Hsp70 with XPA, XPG in nuclei of cells exposed to BaP. These results suggested that Hsp70 might play a role in nucleotide excision repair. However, the mechanisms underlying this observation need further investigation.

Multidimensional degradomics identifies systemic autoantigens and intracellular matrix proteins as novel gelatinase B/MMP-9 substrates

The action radius of matrix metalloproteinases or MMPs is not restricted to massive extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, it extends to the proteolysis of numerous secreted and membrane-bound proteins. Although many instances exist in which cells disintegrate, often in conjunction with induction of MMPs, the intracellular MMP substrate repertoire or degradome remains relatively unexplored. We started an unbiased exploration of the proteolytic modification of intracellular proteins by MMPs, using gelatinase B/MMP-9 as a model enzyme. To this end, multidimensional degradomics technology was developed by the integration of broadly available biotechniques. In this way, 100-200 MMP-9 candidate substrates were isolated, of which 69 were identified. Integration of these results with the known biological functions of the substrates revealed many novel MMP-9 substrates from the intracellular matrix (ICM), such as actin, tubulin, gelsolin, moesin, ezrin, Arp2/3 complex subunits, filamin B and stathmin. About 2/3 of the identified candidates were autoantigens described in multiple autoimmune conditions and in cancer (e.g. annexin I, nucleolin, citrate synthase, HMGB1, alpha-enolase, histidyl-tRNA synthetase, HSP27, HSC70, HSP90, snRNP D3). These findings led to the insight that MMPs and other proteases may have novel (immuno)regulatory properties by the clearance of toxic and immunogenic burdens of abundant ICM proteins released after extensive necrosis. In line with the extracellular processing of organ-specific autoantigens, proteolysis might also assist in the generation of immunodominant 'neo-epitopes' from systemic autoantigens. The study of proteolysis of ICM molecules, autoantigens, alarmins and other crucial intracellular molecules may result in the discovery of novel roles for proteolytic modification.

Overexpressed heat shock protein 70 protects cells against DNA damage caused by ultraviolet C in a dose-dependent manner

Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) comprises proteins that have been reported to protect cells, tissues, and organisms against damage from a wide variety of stressful stimuli; however, little is known about whether Hsp70 protects against DNA damage. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Hsp70 expression and the levels of ultraviolet C (UVC)-induced DNA damage in A549 cells with normal, inhibited, and overexpressed Hsp70 levels. Hsp70 expression was inhibited by treatment with quercetin or overexpressed by transfection of plasmids harboring the hsp70 gene. The level of DNA damage was assessed by the comet assay. The results showed that the levels of DNA damage (shown as the percentage of comet cells) in A549 cells increased in all cells after exposure to an incident dose of 0, 10, 20, 40, and 80 J/m2 whether Hsp70 was inhibited or overexpressed. This response was dose dependent: a protection against UVC-induced DNA damage in cells with overexpressed Hsp70 was observed at UVC dose 20 J/m2 with a maximum at 40 J/m2 when compared with cells with normal Hsp70 levels and in quercetin-treated cells. This differential protection disappeared at 80 J/m2. These results suggest that overexpressed Hsp70 might play a role in protecting A549 cells from DNA damage caused by UVC irradiation, with a threshold of protection from at UVC irradiation-induced DNA damage by Hsp70. The detailed mechanism how Hsp70 is involved in DNA damage and possible DNA repair warrants further investigation.

Heat intolerance: does gene transcription contribute?

During exertion in the heat, heat-intolerant (HI) subjects have a physiological disability in metabolic heat dissipation. The HI state is either permanent or temporary, depending on whether it stems from transient predisposing factors or inherent thermoregulatory dysfunction. In this investigation, we studied protein levels of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and HSP72, HSP90, bcl-2xL, glutathione S-transferase-p, heat shock factor-1, TATA-binding protein-associated factor, and NF-κB transcripts using Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively, in lymphocytes of HI and tolerant (T) male volunteers of similar anthropometric features. Measurements were made from blood drawn before, during the heat tolerance test (3.5 mph, 40°C, 40% relative humidity, 2 h), and 1 h after recovery at 24°C. Rectal and skin temperatures, as well as heart rate, were continuously recorded. Of 58 subjects, 7 were identified as HI, with a significantly higher physiological strain index than in the T group (6.3 ± 0.9 vs. 3.8 ± 0.6, P < 0.001). The responsiveness of the vasculature to thermal stimuli was decreased in the HI group, as indicated by rectal temperature minus skin temperature. The HSP72 level in the HI group dropped during the recovery session ( P < 0.01), whereas that of the T group continued to rise. A significantly increased expression of the transcription factors in the T subjects and significantly decreased expression in the HI group ( P < 0.009, 0.013, and 0.005 for heat shock factor-1, NF-κB, and TATA-binding protein-associated factor, respectively) points to impaired transcriptional processes in the HI group. Our data suggest that transcriptional malfunction and sluggishness of the vasculature to thermal stimuli are predisposing factors in the HI group.

Antibodies against heat shock proteins in environmental stresses and diseases: friend or foe?

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) can be found in two forms, intracellular and extracellular. The intracellular Hsps are induced as a result of stress and have been found to be cytoprotective in many instances due to their chaperone functions in protein folding and in protein degradation. The origin and role of extracellular Hsps is less clear. Although they were suspected originally to be released from damaged cells (necrosis), their presence in most normal individuals rather suggests that they have regulatory functions in circulation. As immunodominant molecules, Hsps can stimulate the immune system, leading to the production of autoantibodies recognizing epitopes shared by microbial and human Hsps. Thus, extracellular Hsps can influence the inflammatory response as evidenced by the production of inflammatory cytokines. Antibodies to Hsps have been found under normal conditions but seem to be increased in certain stresses and diseases. Such antibodies could regulate the inflammatory response positively or negatively. Here, we review the literature on the findings of antibodies to Hsps in situations of environmental or occupational stress and in a number of diseases and discuss their possible significance for the diagnosis, prognosis, or pathogenesis of these diseases.

Plasma antibodies against heat shock protein 70 correlate with the incidence and severity of asthma in a Chinese population

Background

The heat shock proteins (Hsps) are induced by stresses such as allergic factors and inflammatory responses in bronchi epithelial cells and therefore may be detectable in patients with asthma. However, the etiologic link between anti-Hsps and asthma (its severity and related inflammatory responses such as interleukin-4 and immunoglobulin E) has not been established. We determined whether antibodies against Hsp60 and Hsp70 were present in patients with asthma and evaluated their associations with risk and severity of asthma.

Methods

We determined the levels of anti-Hsp60 and anti-Hsp70 by immunoblot and their associations with risk and symptom severity of asthma in 95 patients with asthma and 99 matched non-symptomatic controls using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Compared to the controls, asthma patients were more likely to have detectable anti-Hsp60 (17.2% vs 5.1%) and anti-Hsp70 (33.7% vs 8.1%) (p ≤ 0.001). In particular, the presence of anti-Hsp70 was associated with a greater than 2 fold risk for asthma (adjusted OR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.35~3.59). Furthermore, both anti-Hsp60 and anti-Hsp70 levels were positively correlated with symptom severity (p < 0.05) as well as interleukin-4 and immunoglobulin E (p < 0.05). Individuals with antibodies against anti-Hsp60 and anti-Hsp70 were more likely to have a family history of asthma (p < 0.001) and higher plasma concentrations of total immunoglobulin E (p = 0.001) and interleukin-4 (p < 0.05) than those without antibodies.

Conclusions

These data suggest that anti-Hsp60 and especially anti-Hsp70 correlate with the attacks and severity of asthma. The underlying molecular mechanisms linking antibodies to heat shock proteins and asthma remain to be investigated.

Correlation of lymphocyte heat shock protein 70 levels with neurologic deficits in elderly patients with cerebral infarction

PURPOSE

To assess the association between heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels and the severity of ischemic stroke in elderly patients.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the changes in lymphocyte HSP70 levels by immunoblot in 65 elderly patients with mild (n = 22), intermediate (n = 21), or severe (n = 22) stroke, and in 34 healthy controls. We analyzed correlations between HSP70 levels and neurologic deficit scores on days 1, 15, and 30 after the onset of stroke.

RESULTS

Mean (+/- SD) HSP70 levels were higher in all stroke patients compared with controls (mild stroke: 709 +/- 194 units; intermediate: 585 +/- 165 units; severe: 421 +/- 124 units; controls: 86 +/- 34 units on day 1). Patients with mild stroke had higher levels at day 1 and 15 than did patients with severe stroke. HSP70 levels decreased rapidly from days 1 to 30 in all patients, except in patients with severe stroke, in whom levels decreased slowly between days 15 and 30. There were significant negative correlations between HSP70 levels and neurologic deficit scores in patients on days 1 (r = -0.53, P < 0.001) and 15 (r = -0.54, P < 0.001), but a positive correlation on day 30 (r = 0.49, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that HSP70 may be a marker for neuroprotection in the early stage of ischemic stroke and a marker for a crisis in the later stages of severe cerebral infarction. Further studies on the use of lymphocyte HSP70 levels in predicting clinical outcomes and underlying mechanisms in cerebral infarction are warranted.

Expression of the 60 kDa and 71 kDa heat shock proteins and presence of antibodies against the 71 kDa heat shock protein in pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Background

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by platelet destruction resulting from autoantibodies against platelet proteins, particularly platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Heat shock proteins (Hsp) have been shown to be major antigenic determinants in some autoimmune diseases. Antibodies to Hsps have also been reported to be associated with a number of pathological states.

Methods

Using western blot, we measured the levels of the 60 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp60) and of the inducible 71 kDa member of the Hsp70 family (Hsp71) in lymphocytes and the presence of antibodies against these hsps in plasma of 29 pediatric patients with ITP before the treatment and in 6 other patients before and after treatment.

Results

Interestingly only one out of 29 patients showed detectable Hsp60 in lymphocytes while this heat shock protein was detected in the 30 control children. Hsp71 levels were slightly lower in lymphocytes of patients with ITP than in controls (1567.8 ± 753.2 via 1763.2 ± 641.8 integrated optical density (IOD) units). There was a small increase of Hsp71 after recovery from ITP. The titers of plasma antibodies against Hsp60 and Hsp71 were also examined. Antibodies against Hsp71 were more common in ITP patients (15/29) than in control children (5/30). The titer of anti-Hsp71 was also higher in children patients with ITP. The prevalence of ITP children with antibodies against Hsp71 (51.7%) was as high as those with antibodies against platelet membrane glycoproteins (58.3%).

Conclusions

In summary, pediatric patients with ITP showed no detectable expression of Hsp60 in lymphocytes and a high prevalence of antibody against Hsp71 in plasma. These changes add to our understanding of the pathogenesis of ITP and may be important for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of ITP.

Serum and lymphocyte levels of heat shock protein 70 in aging: a study in the normal Chinese population

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been reported to play an important role in both physiological and pathological processes. Hsps also may serve as biomarkers for evaluating disease states and exposure to environmental stresses. Whether Hsp levels in serum and lymphocytes are correlated with age and sex is largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed serum Hsp70 (the most abundant mammalian Hsp) levels by using Western dot blot in 327 healthy male donors aged between 15 and 50 years. We also investigated the association between Hsp70 levels and age in lymphocytes of 80 normal individuals aged between 40 and 77 years because various chronic diseases increase after the age of 40 years. Our data showed that serum Hsp70 levels were positively correlated with age in subjects aged between 15 and 30 years (P < 0.05) but negatively correlated with age in subjects aged between 30 and 50 years (P < 0.05). Serum Hsp70 levels were the highest in individuals aged between 25 and 30 years among all age groups. In the lymphocyte study there also was a significant age-related decrease in Hsp70 levels in lymphocytes of individuals older than 40 years. The Hsp70 levels were negatively correlated with age (r = -3.708, P < 0.0001) but not with sex (r = -10.536, P = 0.452). This suggests that both serum and lymphocyte Hsp70 levels are age-related and that these may be linked to age-related stress. Thus, age is an important factor in using serum and lymphocyte Hsp70 as biomarkers to evaluate the disease states or exposure to environmental stresses (or both).

Basal and inducible levels of Hsp70 in patients with acute heat illness induced during training

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) or stress proteins, and, in particular, the inducible, cytosolic Hsp70, represent a highly conserved response to heat exposure and to a variety of noxious stimuli. Many investigations have shown correlations between the aberrant expression of Hsps and disease states. Whether the basal and inducible levels of Hsp70 are of any biological significance in patients with heat-induced diseases remains unknown. In the present study, we compared the basal and inducible levels of Hsp70 by flow cytometry in lymphocytes of patients with heat-induced diseases and after recovery from this disease, and in matched controls. Both groups comprised individuals who exercised by running in the same hot environment. The level of inducible Hsp70 was also measured after a heat treatment of lymphocytes in vitro. The results show that there is variation of basal and inducible Hsp70 levels among individuals. However, the group of patients suffering from heat-induced illnesses in May shows a significantly higher basal (P = 0.02) level of Hsp70 than does the control group. Individuals who have an increased level of Hsp70 may be more sensitive to heat or may respond differently. The level of Hsp70 may represent a biomarker to evaluate whether they are more susceptible to stresses than other individuals. Interestingly, the basal level of Hsp70 is higher in both the patient group and the control group in November than in May. In fact, the basal levels of Hsp70 in the patient and control groups are essentially the same in November, perhaps reflecting the successful stress conditioning of both groups.

Expression of HSP70 in peripheral lymphocytes of the patients with allergic rhinitis

The expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) from peripheral lymphocytes of the patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and the clinical implication were investigated. In the morning, 3 ml of fasting venous blood was taken out. The lymphocytes were isolated by using Ficoll-Hypaque and the expression of HSP70 in the lymphocytes was detected by using Western blot. In the AR patients the HSP70 level (41.49 +/- 15.77 integrated optical density, IOD) were significantly higher than that in the control group (23.89 +/- 10.13 IOD, P < 0.05). Western blot demonstrated that HSP70 bands in AR patients were more intensive than those in the control group. It was concluded that the elevated HSP70 level in peripheral lymphocytes of the AR patients might contribute to the development of AR.

Association of HSP70 and genotoxic damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to coke-oven emission

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been reported to protect cells, tissues, and organisms against damage from a wide variety of stressful stimuli. Whether they protect against deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in individuals exposed to environmental stresses and chemical carcinogens is unknown. In the study, we investigated the association between Hsp70 levels (the most abundant mammalian Hsp) and genotoxic damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to coke-oven emission using Western dot blot and 2 DNA damage assays, the comet assay and the micronucleus test. The data show that there is a significant increase in Hsp70 levels, DNA damage score, and micronucleus rates in lymphocytes of workers exposed to coke-oven emission as compared with the control subjects. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation of Hsp70 levels with DNA damage scores in the comet assay (r = -0.663, P < 0.01) and with micronucleus rates (r = -0.461, P < 0.01) in the exposed group. In the control group, there was also a light negative correlation between Hsp70 with DNA damage and micronuclei rate (r = -0.236 and r = 0.242, respectively), but it did not reach a statistically significant level (P > 0.05). Our results show that individuals who had high Hsp70 levels generally showed lower genotoxic damage than others. These results suggest a role of Hsp70 in the protection of DNA from genotoxic damage induced by coke-oven emission.

Effect of manganese on heat stress protein synthesis of new-born rats

AIM: To study the effect of manganese (Mn) on heat stress protein 70 (HSP70) synthesis in the brain and liver of new-born rats whose mother-rats were exposed to Mn.

METHODS: 32 female rats were randomly divided into four groups. One group was administrated with physiological saline only as control group, the other three groups were administrated with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg·kg^-1 manganese chloride (MnCl₂) by intraperitioneal injection every two days for two weeks. After delivery, the mother-rats received MnCl₂ unceasingly for a week with the same method. Then the contents of Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe in the livers of the new-born rats were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy; The level of HSP70 in the brains and the livers of the new-born rats as detected by Western-dot-blotting, and the SOD activities were measured simultaneously.

RESULTS: The contents of Mn in the livers of new-born rats of the experimental groups (respective 1.38 ± 0.18, 2.73 ± 0.65, 3.44 ± 0.89 μg·g^-1) were significantly increased compared with the control group (0.88 ± 0.18 μg·g^-1; P < 0.01); The contents of Fe in the livers of new-born rats of 15 and 30 mg·kg^-1 experimental groups (426 ± 125, 572 ± 175 μg·g^-1, respectively) were significantly increased compared with the control group(286 ± 42 μg·g^-1;P < 0.05); the levels of Zn in the livers of the new-born rats of three experimental groups(254 ± 49, 263 ± 47, 213 ± 28 μg·g^-1, respectively) were lower than those of the control group (335 ± 50 μg·g^-1; respective P < 0.05, P < 0.01); and the levels of Cu showed no significant difference among the four groups (three experimental groups: 75 ± 21, 68 ± 241 and 78 ± 18 μg·g^-1; control group: 83 ± 9 μg·g^-1; P > 0.05). There was a significant increase in the levels of HSP70 in the brains of new-born rats of the 30 mg·kg^-1 group (19.5 × 10³± 1.3 × 10³ A; control group: 14.3 × 10³± 1.4 × 10³A; P < 0.01),and the levels of HSP70 in the livers of new-born rats of three experimental groups(respective 19.6 × 10³± 3.9 × 10³A, 18.5 × 10³± 3.8 × 10³A, 22.4 × 10³± 1.9 × 10³A) also increased than control group(13.3 × 10³± 1.0 × 10³A; P < 0.01), but the SOD activities showed no significant difference among brains of the four groups (experimental groups: 5.04 ± 0.43, 4.83 ± 0.48, 4.60 ± 0.84 ku·g^-1; control group: 4.91 ± 0.37 ku·g^-1; P > 0.05). The SOD activities in the livers of 15 mg·kg^-1 group (5.41 ± 0.44 ku·g^-1) was lower than the control group(5.95 ± 0.36 ku·g^-1; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: While mother-rats were exposed to manganese, the metabolisms of Mn, Zn and Fe of new-born rats in the livers were influenced and were situated in a stress status, thus HSP70 syntheses is induced in the brains and livers of new-born rats, but the mechanism of this effect in the developmental toxicity of Mn remains to be further studied.