The future of molecular chaperones and beyond.
Protection of hair cells by HSP70 released by supporting cells is reported by May et al. in this issue of the JCI. Their findings suggest a new way to reduce ototoxicity from therapeutic medications and raise larger questions about the role and integration of heat shock proteins in non–cell-autonomous responses to stress. Increasing evidence suggests an important role for extracellular heat shock proteins in both the nervous system and the immune system. The work also suggests that defective chaperones could cause ear disease and supports the potential use of chaperone therapeutics.
Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Grant Building S272A, Stanford, California 94305-5117, USA. rona.giffard@stanford.edu
Rona G
RG
Giffard
Alberto J L
AJ
Macario
Everly Conway
EC
de Macario
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006199:Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000166:cytology*
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins