title: Early ischaemic preconditioning of spinal cord enhanced the binding profile of heat shock protein 70 with neurofilaments and promoted its nuclear translocation after thoraco-abdominal aortic occlusion in pigs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is detected in substantial amounts in normal neurons and this basal content may protect a cell against harmful conditions without the need for additional synthesis. Herein, we investigate the potential protective role of these basal levels of Hsp70, in an early ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) experimental model, suggesting a possible role of this protein as a first window of protection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two pigs were used in an experimental thoraco-abdominal aortic occlusion model. Twelve animals (two groups) were used for neurological evaluation. The remaining 30 animals (five groups) were used for immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemical studies. These were performed to study the binding relationship of Hsp70/cytoskeleton elements and the cellular distribution of Hsp70, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The IPC + ischaemia-group showed significant better neurologic scores compared with those of the ischaemia group, indicating a protective role for IPC (P = 0.003). The immunoprecipitations demonstrated that early IPC increased significantly the binding profile of Hsp70/neurofilaments (P = 0.025). In addition, translocation of Hsp70 into the nucleus was observed, which was conserved until the sustained ischaemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that Hsp70 may have an important role in early IPC of the spinal cord, by protecting neurofilaments and by ensuring the functionality and the integrity of the nucleus, at the time the intensive insult begins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery-Vascular Surgery Unit, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina University Campus, S. Niarchos Avenue, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Kyrou
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Papakostas
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ioachim
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koulouras
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arnaoutoglou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Angelidis
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Matsagkas
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019194:Ischemic Preconditioning; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins