Does Hsp70 Play a Protective Role in Tibial Dyschondroplasia?

Abstract

Hsp70 was found in both normal and tibial dyschondroplasia-affected chickens suggesting that Hsp70 is expressed constitutively in the growth plate. Although the Hsp 70 content does not change significantly among the groups with lesion's degree I to III, a decrease in the amount of total protein in the tibial growth plate of chickens with tibial dyschondroplasia was observed. There was a significant difference in the levels of Hsp70 in the growth plate of the tibia (P<0.001) between lesion of intermediary degree and lesion of severe degree. The enhancement of compressive forces in the articular cartilage might induce the chondrocytes to express induced heat-shock protein (Hsp) 70, as a defense mechanism in bone cellular survival up to score levels III. The possibility that Hsp70 is able, depending lesion's severity, to protect and block the chondrocyte death up to score levels III, but it fails on severe lesions (degree IV), is discussed.