Heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria

Abstract

Background and aim: Chronic urticaria (CU) whether spontaneous or induced is a common condition. The exact pathological mechanisms responsible for CU are not fully understood. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a large group of molecular chaperones widely involved in many aspects of cellular homeostasis. HSP70 has been linked to allergic and autoimmune conditions. The present study aimed to assess serum levels of HSP70 in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and to correlate these levels with patients’ characteristics. Subjects and Methods: The present case control study included 70 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). In addition, there were 70 age and sex-matched healthy control. The severity of their urticaria symptoms were assessed using Urticaria Activity Score (UAS). Symptoms were classified as mild, moderate or intense. Serum levels of HSP70 measured by ELISA method, using commercially available kits after withdrawal of oral antihistamines for 1week. Results: Comparison between patients and controls regarding serum HSP70 revealed significantly higher levels in the patients’ group [median (IQR): 0.615 (0.230 - 0.900) versus 0.260 (0.210 - 0.420) ng/ml, p=0.003]. Patients with intense disease had significantly higher HSP70 levels when compared with patients with moderate and mild disease [median (IQR): 2.280 (1.310 - 4.920) versus 0.780 (0.340 - 0.900) and 0.240 (0.140 - 0.336) ng/ml respectively, p