[Heat shock proteins or "stress proteins"].
BACKGROUND
Heat shock proteins (HSP) are molecular chaperones which facilitate the biosynthesis and maturation of proteins within cells (protein folding). They promote assembly and disassembly of polypeptides and play a major role in cellular function, not only during the stress response but also at basal state.


BACKGROUND
As HSP are immunogenic molecules and can be expressed on cellular membranes, their role in auto-immune and inflammatory diseases, particularly in systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, has been studied. Cellular immune response of T cells and humoral response with antibodies production against HSP occurring in the course of those diseases have been observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-HSP immune response might provide better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in those diseases. At present it is not known whether HSP can trigger them. Indeed, anti-HSP immunity could be induced by the immunological process or be part of a normal immunoregulatory response.
Granel
B
B
Service de médecine interne, hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France.
Swiader
L
L
Serratrice
J
J
Disdier
P
P
Weiller
P J
PJ
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins
Les heat shock proteins ou les "protéines de stress".