Increased level of HSP27 but not of HSP72 in human heart allografts in relation to acute rejection.
BACKGROUND
Increased expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) was assumed during cardiac allograft rejection. To find evidence for this in man, we quantified HSP27 and HSP72 in cardiac allograft biopsies.


METHODS
In parallel to histological assessment of rejection, HSP27 was quantified by Western blotting in a total of 43 biopsies sampled from 3 patients. HSP72 was analyzed in parallel in 30 of the 43 cases. For comparison, HSPs were analyzed in myocardium.


RESULTS
HSP27 was significantly higher in rejecting cardiac allografts than in non-rejecting allografts and non-failing myocardium (1.52 +/- 0.25 vs. 0.83 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.05 microg/mg protein). Similarity for HSP72 (6.27 +/- 1.54 vs. 4.06 +/- 1.03 vs. 6.27 +/- 0.76 microg/mg protein) was not found.


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time in humans with cardiac allograft rejection, increased expression of HSP27, which could be important for cardiac self-protection, was demonstrated. For the lack of increased HSP72 expression, the influence of the cyclosporine A treatment was discussed.
Schimke
I
I
Medizinische Klinik (Kardiologie, Angiologie, Pneumologie), Universitätsklinikum Charité, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
Lutsch
G
G
Schernes
U
U
Kruse
I
I
Dübel
H P
HP
Pregla
R
R
Hummel
M
M
Meyer
R
R
Stahl
J
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055551:HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins; D050884:HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D055551:HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins; D050884:HSP72 Heat-Shock Proteins; C057725:HSPB1 protein, human; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine