Induction of heat shock protein 60 expression in human monocytic cell lines infected with Mycobacterium leprae

Monocytic cell lines (HL-60 and THP-1) were infected with viable Mycobacterium leprae. Levels of human hsp60 were estimated by Western blot (immunoblot) assay and a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that infection of both of the cell lines induced the synthesis of human hsp60, which may be of significance in relation to autoimmune manifestations associated with mycobacterial infections.