title: Interaction between the inducible 70-kDa heat shock protein and autophagy: effects on fertility and pregnancy.
abstract: A consequence of hsp70 (HSPA1A) induction is the inhibition of autophagy. Evidence of autophagy involvement in all aspects of the reproductive process is reviewed, and possible consequences of hsp70 induction at each developmental stage are postulated. It is proposed that aberrant external or internal stimuli that result in high levels of hsp70 production interfere with normal autophagy-related functions and lead to a decrease in the number of functional ova and spermatozoa, impaired pre- and post-implantation embryo development, and increased susceptibility to premature labor and delivery. The purpose of this review is to increase understanding of hsp70-autophagy interactions during reproduction. Interventions to modulate this interaction will lead to development of novel protocols to improve fertility and pregnancy outcome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sisti
authors.forename: Tomi T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Kanninen
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ramer
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Witkin
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005306:Fertilization; D005718:Gametogenesis; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; C490786:HSPA1A protein, human