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Expression of 65-kd heat shock proteins in the inflammatory myopathies

R Hohlfeld1, A G Engel

  • 1Department of Neurology and Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.

Annals of Neurology
|December 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

In inflammatory myopathies, 65-kd heat shock proteins (hsp) appear on stressed muscle cells and inflammatory cells. These hsp may be a response to cellular stress or recognized by the immune system as autoantigens.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Heat shock proteins (hsp) are involved in cellular stress responses.
  • Their role in inflammatory myopathies is not fully understood.
  • Previous studies have indicated hsp expression in various cellular components.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and localization of 65-kd heat shock proteins (hsp) in normal and inflammatory myopathic muscle.
  • To explore the potential role of 65-kd hsp in the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical detection of 65-kd hsp in muscle biopsies.
  • Analysis of hsp localization in relation to cellular structures and inflammatory infiltrates.

Main Results:

  • In normal muscle, 65-kd hsp were found on capillary endothelial cells, larger vessel walls, and intracellular organelles (likely mitochondria).
  • In inflammatory myopathies, 65-kd hsp were detected on inflammatory cells, degenerating/regenerating muscle fibers, and non-necrotic muscle fibers invaded by T cells.
  • Expression was not uniform across all non-necrotic fibers.

Conclusions:

  • 65-kd hsp expression in inflammatory myopathies appears to be an immune-nonspecific response to cellular stress.
  • Hsp determinants might also function as autoantigens, potentially recognized by autoreactive T cells.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of hsp in autoimmune muscle diseases.

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