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Published on: May 10, 2022
Heat shock proteins and cardiovascular disease
Insights
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are linked to atherosclerosis, a major cause of death. Targeting HSPs may offer new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a primary global cause of mortality and morbidity.
- Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are crucial for cellular stress response and are implicated in cardiovascular diseases.
- Elevated anti-HSP antibodies are observed in patients with vascular disease, suggesting a role in atherogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of HSPs in cardiovascular disease.
- To explore the potential of HSPs as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on HSPs and cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of studies investigating HSP expression in atherosclerotic plaques.
- Examination of research on autoimmune responses to HSPs in vascular disease.
Main Results:
- HSPs are present in atherosclerotic plaques and may trigger autoimmune responses contributing to vascular injury.
- Anti-HSP antibodies are associated with vascular disease and may serve as independent risk predictors.
- Inducing tolerance to HSPs is a potential therapeutic strategy to limit the atherogenic process.
Conclusions:
- HSPs play a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
- HSPs hold promise as diagnostic biomarkers for cardiovascular risk.
- Targeting HSPs represents a potential therapeutic avenue for managing atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis is the leading global cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a highly conserved family of proteins with diverse functions expressed by all cells exposed to environmental stress. Studies have reported that several HSPs may be potential risk markers of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases, or may be directly involved in the atherogenic process itself. HSPs are expressed by cells in atherosclerotic plaque and anti-HSP has been reported to be increased in patients with vascular disease. Autoimmune responses may be generated against antigens present within the atherosclerotic plaque, including HSP and may lead to a cycle of ongoing vascular injury. It has been suggested that by inducing a state of tolerance to these antigens, the atherogenic process may be limited and thus provide a potential therapeutic approach. It has been suggested that anti-HSPs are independent predictors of risk of vascular disease. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of HSP in cardiovascular disease and highlight their potential role as diagnostic agents and therapeutic targets.
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