title: Heat shock proteins in vascular disease--a review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is growing evidence that heat shock proteins (HSPs), a family of stress-inducible proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Here, we systematically review the evidence behind this notion.
  
  
  METHODS
  A detailed literature search and extensive bibliographic review of literature relating to HSPs and atherosclerotic vascular disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Atherosclerotic vascular disease is classified into four main areas of presentation: carotid, coronary, aortic and peripheral vascular disease, for consideration in this review. In each of these vascular diseases, the evidence linking HSPs and atherosclerosis is outlined in a systematic manner. Current evidence suggests that components of the immune system may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, with HSPs acting as auto-antigens in the immune response. HSPs are detected in atherosclerotic lesions and antibodies to HSPs are increased in patients with vascular disease; the rise often correlating with the severity of atherosclerosis. The levels of anti-HSP antibodies have been shown to be independent predictors of risk and have prognostic value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a strong link between heat shock protein expression and the principal manifestations of atherosclerotic vascular diseases. A better understanding of this involvement could lead to the development of new and improved treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Academic Surgical Unit, University of Hull, Hull Royal Infirmary, Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2JZ, UK. tapanmehta99@yahoo.com
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greenman
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ettelaie
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venkatasubramaniam
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chetter
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: McCollum
mesh_terms: D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins