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Published on: July 9, 2013
Fever and the heat shock response: distinct, partially overlapping processes
1Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Medicine and Research Services of the Baltimore VA Medical Center, 21201, USA. jhasday@umaryland.edu
Cell Stress & Chaperones
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Fever activates the ancient heat shock response, a protective mechanism against infection. This ancient pathway enhances host defenses and exploits pre-existing biochemical processes for new functions.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- The heat shock response is a fundamental cellular defense against environmental stress.
- Fever is an evolved response to infection, involving temporary thermal stress.
- The beneficial role of fever in infected hosts is increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the beneficial effects of fever in infected hosts.
- To explore the activation of the heat shock response by fever.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which fever confers protection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on fever and heat shock response.
- Analysis of biochemical consequences of fever-induced heat shock response.
- Presentation of proposed mechanisms of fever-induced protection.
Main Results:
- Fever activates the heat shock response, leading to the production of heat shock proteins (Hsps).
- Four mechanisms of fever-induced protection are proposed, two involving the heat shock response.
- Heat shock factor-1 regulates Hsps, cytokines, and early response genes.
Conclusions:
- Fever leverages the conserved heat shock response for protection against infection.
- The relationship between fever and heat shock response illustrates evolutionary adaptation of biochemical pathways.
- Heat shock factor-1 plays a crucial role in mediating fever's protective effects.
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