Form Of Heat Shock Protein Research Articles

The Stress-Inducible Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSPA1A) as A Novel Biomarker in Lung Tumors: A Promoting Study

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of intracellular proteins that promote proteins folding and unfolding under normal and/or stress conditions. In addition to their intracellular location, HSPs are found on the plasma membranes of stressed, but not normal, cells and in the extracellular milieu where they can trigger an immune response. For instance, the inducible form of heat shock protein 70 (HSPA1A) was found to be overexpressed, intra or extracellularly, by many types of stressed cells. In our study, we aim to investigate the levels of HSPA1A in the serum of untreated lung tumor patients and its expression in the tissues derived from lung tumors and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and healthy tissues. Analyses of serum and tissue samples were performed by utilizing ELISA assay and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. The results showed significant differences in the mean levels of serum HSPA1A of the patients (1.66± 0.165) as compared to healthy control (0.938±0.330). Significant differences were also found between these levels in the serum of smoker and nonsmoker patients (2.006±0.342 and 1.353± 0.067, respectively). The protein levels in the patient's serum were also found to be 29.5% correlated to smoking history. No significant differences were found in terms of gender and age within the two groups of patients and healthy volunteers. Our results showed HSPA1A protein levels to be correlated to gender (13.5%) and age in patients and healthy volunteers (14.8% and 0.4%, respectively). In the tissues of the clinicopathological groups, HSPA1A was found to be overexpressed in benign (IRS= 8.5) and malignant tumors (IRS= 8.9) in comparison with both COPD (IRS= 4.4) and healthy tissues (IRS= 0.00). Our pilot results could support the suggestion of HSPA1A as a novel biomarker in lung tumors, as proposed by previous studies.

Leucinostatin acts as a co-inducer for heat shock protein 70 in cultured canine retinal pigment epithelial cells

Dysregulation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is the main cause of a variety of ocular diseases. Potentially heat shock proteins, by preventing molecular and cellular damage and modulating inflammatory disease, may exert a protective role in eye disease. In particular, the inducible form of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is widely upregulated in inflamed tissues, and in vivo upregulation of Hsp70 expression by HSP co-inducing compounds has been shown to be a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases. In order to gain further understanding of the potential protective effects of Hsp70 in RPE cells, we developed a method for isolation and culture of canine RPE cells. Identity of RPE cells was confirmed by detection of its specific marker, RPE65, in qPCR, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry analysis. The ability of RPE cells to express Hsp70 upon experimental induction of cell stress, by arsenite, was analyzed by flow cytometry. Finally, in search of a potential Hsp70 co-inducer, we investigated whether the compound leucinostatin could enhance Hsp70 expression in stressed RPE cells. Canine RPE cells were isolated and cultured successfully. Purity of cells that strongly expressed RPE65 was over 90%. Arsenite-induced stress led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in Hsp70 expression in canine RPE cells in vitro. In addition, leucinostatin, which enhanced heat shock factor-1-induced transcription from the heat shock promoter in DNAJB1-luc-O23 reporter cell line, also enhanced Hsp70 expression in arsenite-stressed RPE cells, in a dose-dependent fashion. These findings demonstrate that leucinostatin can boost Hsp70 expression in canine RPE cells, most likely by activating heat shock factor-1, suggesting that leucinostatin might be applied as a new co-inducer for Hsp70 expression.

HSP70 is required for the proper assembly of pericentriolar material and function of mitotic centrosomes

BackgroundAt the onset of mitosis, the centrosome expands and matures, acquiring enhanced activities for microtubule nucleation and assembly of a functional bipolar mitotic spindle. However, the mechanisms that regulate centrosome expansion and maturation are largely unknown. Previously, we demonstrated in an immortalized human cell line CGL2 and cancer cell line HeLa that the inducible form of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) accumulates at the mitotic centrosome and is required for centrosome maturation and bipolar spindle assembly.ResultsIn this study, we further show that HSP70 accumulated at the spindle pole in a PLK1-dependent manner. HSP70 colocalized with pericentrin (PCNT), CEP215 and γ-tubulin at the spindle pole and was required for the 3D assembly of these three proteins, which supports mitotic centrosome function. Loss of HSP70 disrupted mitotic centrosome structure, reduced pericentriolar material recruitment and induced fragmentation of spindle poles. In addition, HSP70 was necessary for the interaction between PCNT and CEP215 and also facilitated PLK1 accumulation and function at the spindle pole. Furthermore, we found that HSP70 chaperone activity is required for PCNT accumulation at the mitotic centrosome and assembly of mitotic spindles.ConclusionOur current results demonstrate that HSP70 is required for the accurate assembly of the pericentriolar material and proper functioning of mitotic centrosomes.

An inducible heat shock protein 70 small molecule inhibitor demonstrates anti-dengue virus activity, validating Hsp70 as a host antiviral target

An estimated three billion people are at risk of Dengue virus (DENV) infection worldwide and there are currently no approved therapeutic interventions for DENV infection. Due to the relatively small size of the DENV genome, DENV is reliant on host factors throughout the viral life cycle. The inducible form of Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70i) has been implicated as a host factor in DENV pathogenesis, however the complete role remains to be elucidated. Here we further illustrate the importance of Hsp70i in dengue virus pathogenesis and describe the antiviral activity of the allosteric small molecule inhibitor that is selective for Hsp70i, called HS-72. In monocytes, Hsp70i is expressed at low levels preceding DENV infection, but Hsp70i expression is induced upon DENV infection. Targeting Hsp70i with HS-72, results in a dose dependent reduction in DENV infected monocytes, while cell viability was maintained. HS-72 works to reduce DENV infection by inhibiting the entry stage of the viral life cycle, through disrupting the association of Hsp70i with the DENV receptor complex. This work highlights Hsp70i as an antiviral target and HS-72 as a potential anti-DENV therapeutic agent.

Growth and repair factors, osteoactivin, matrix metalloproteinase and heat shock protein 72, increase with resolution of inflammation in musculotendinous tissues in a rat model of repetitive grasping.

BackgroundExpression of the growth factor osteoactivin (OA) increases during tissue degeneration and regeneration, fracture repair and after denervation-induced disuse atrophy, concomitant with increased matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). However, OA’s expression with repetitive overuse injuries is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate: 1) OA expression in an operant rat model of repetitive overuse; 2) expression of MMPs; 3) inflammatory cytokines indicative of injury or inflammation; and 4) the inducible form of heat shock protein 70 (HSPA1A/HSP72) as the latter is known to increase during metabolic stress and to be involved in cellular repair. Young adult female rats performed a high repetition negligible force (HRNF) food retrieval task for up to 6 weeks and were compared to control rats.MethodsFlexor digitorum muscles and tendons were collected from 22 young adult female rats performing a HRNF reaching task for 3 to 6 weeks, and 12 food restricted control (FRC) rats. OA mRNA levels were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). OA, MMP-1, -2, -3, and -13 and HSP72 protein expression was assayed using Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry and image analysis was used to evaluate OA and HSP72 expression. ELISA was performed for HSP72 and inflammatory cytokines.ResultsFlexor digitorum muscles and tendons from 6-week HRNF rats showed increased OA mRNA and protein expression compared to FRC rats. MMP-1, -2 and -3 progressively increased in muscles whereas MMP-1 and -3 increased in tendons with HRNF task performance. HSP72 increased in 6-week HRNF muscles and tendons, compared to controls, and co-localized with OA in the myofiber sarcolemma. IL-1alpha and beta increased transiently in tendons or muscles in HRNF week 3 before resolving in week 6.ConclusionThe simultaneous increases of OA with factors involved in tissue repair (MMPs and HSP72) supports a role of OA in tissue regeneration after repetitive overuse.

Characterization of common and distinctive adjustments of wild barley leaf proteome under drought acclimation, heat stress and their combination.

In nature, plants are often exposed to combinations of different stresses at the same time, while in many laboratory studies of molecular stress induction phenomena, single stress responses are analyzed. This study aims to identify the common (i.e. more general stress-responsive) and the stress-specific adjustments of the leaf proteome of wild barley to two often co-occurring stress phenomena, i.e. in response to (long-term) drought acclimation (DA) or to (transient) heat stress (HS). In addition, we analyzed those alterations which are specific for the combination of both stresses. Leaf proteome analysis was performed using 2D difference gel electrophoresis followed by protein identification via mass spectrometry with a 1.5 threshold value of changes in relative protein contents. DA resulted in specific upregulation of proteins with cell detoxification functions, water homeostasis maintenance, amino acids synthesis and lipid metabolism and distinct forms of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and proteins with chaperon functions while proteins related to nitrogen metabolism were downregulated. This response was distinguished from the response to transient HS, which included upregulation of a broad range of HSP products. The common response to both stressors revealed upregulation of additional forms of HSPs and the downregulation of enzymes of the photosynthetic apparatus and chlorophyll binding proteins. The simultaneous exposure to both stress conditions resulted mostly in a combination of both stress responses and to unique abundance changes of proteins with yet unclear functions.

Identification of an Allosteric Small-Molecule Inhibitor Selective for the Inducible Form of Heat Shock Protein 70

Inducible Hsp70 (Hsp70i) is overexpressed in a wide spectrum of human tumors, and its expression correlates with metastasis, poor outcomes, and resistance to chemotherapy in patients. Identification of small-molecule inhibitors selective for Hsp70i could provide new therapeutic tools for cancer treatment. In this work, we used fluorescence-linked enzyme chemoproteomic strategy (FLECS) to identify HS-72, an allosteric inhibitor selective for Hsp70i. HS-72 displays the hallmarks of Hsp70 inhibition in cells, promoting substrate protein degradation and growth inhibition. Importantly, HS-72 is selective for Hsp70i over the closely related constitutively active Hsc70. Studies with purified protein show HS-72 acts as anallosteric inhibitor, reducing ATP affinity. Invivo HS-72 is well-tolerated, showing bioavailability and efficacy, inhibiting tumor growth and promoting survival in a HER2+ model of breast cancer. The HS-72scaffold is amenable to resynthesis and iteration, suggesting an ideal starting point for a new generation of anticancer therapeutics targeting Hsp70i.

DNA vaccines encoding membrane-bound or secreted forms of heat shock protein 70 exhibit improved potency.

Traditional vaccine strategies are inefficient against challenge with complex pathogens including HIV; therefore, novel vaccine technologies are required. DNA vaccines are attractive as they are relatively cheap and easy to manufacture, but a major limitation has been their lack of immunogenicity in humans, which may be overcome with the incorporation of an adjuvant. HSP70 is a recognised damage-associated molecular pattern, which is a potential adjuvant. We investigated the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine encoding HIV gag and HSP70; the latter was genetically modified to produce cytoplasmic, secreted or membrane-bound HSP70, the expression of which was controlled by an independent promoter. The DNA was administered to C57BL/6 mice to evaluate gag-specific T-cell responses. Our results demonstrated the ability of membrane-bound and secreted HSP70 to significantly enhance gag-specific T-cell responses and increase the breadth of T-cell responses to include subdominant epitopes. Membrane-bound or secreted HSP70 also significantly improved the multifunctionality of HIV-specific T cells and T-cell proliferation, which is important for maintaining T-cell integrity. Most importantly, the inclusion of membrane-bound HSP70, secreted HSP70 or a combination significantly increased protection in mice challenged with EcoHIV, a chimeric virus that replicates in mouse leukocytes in vivo.

Identification of an Allosteric Small-Molecule Inhibitor Selective for the Inducible Form of Heat Shock Protein 70

Identification of an Allosteric Small-Molecule Inhibitor Selective for the Inducible Form of Heat Shock Protein 70

Patients With Colorectal Tumors With Microsatellite Instability and Large Deletions in HSP110 T17 Have Improved Response to 5-Fluorouracil–Based Chemotherapy

Patients with colorectal tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI) have better prognoses than patients with tumors without MSI, but have a poor response to 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy. A dominant-negative form of heat shock protein (HSP)110 (HSP110DE9) expressed by cancer cells with MSI, via exon skipping caused by somatic deletions in the T(17) intron repeat, sensitizes the cells to 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin.We investigated whether HSP110 T(17) could be used to identify patients with colorectal cancer who would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. We characterized the interaction between HSP110 and HSP110DE9 using surface plasmon resonance. By using polymerase chain reaction and fragment analysis, we examined how the size of somatic allelic deletions in HSP110 T(17) affected the HSP110 protein expressed by tumor cells. We screened 329 consecutive patients with stage II–III colorectal tumors with MSI who underwent surgical resection at tertiary medical centers for HSP110 T(17). HSP110 and HSP110DE9 interacted in a1:1 ratio. Tumor cells with large deletions in T(17) had increased ratios of HSP110DE9:HSP110, owing to the loss of expression of full-length HSP110. Deletions in HSP110 T(17) were mostly biallelic in primary tumor samples with MSI. Patients with stage II–III cancer who received chemotherapy and had large HSP110 T(17) deletions (≥5 bp; 18 of 77 patients, 23.4%) had longer times of relapse-free survival than patients with small or no deletions (≤4 bp; 59 of 77 patients, 76.6%) in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.012–0.8; P = .03). We found a significant interaction between chemotherapy and T17 deletion (P =.009). About 25% of patients with stages II–III colorectal tumors with MSI have an excellent response to chemotherapy, due to large, biallelic deletions in the T(17) intron repeat of HSP110 in tumor DNA.

Injectable microsphere/hydrogel hybrid system containing heat shock protein as therapy in a murine myocardial infarction model

Heat shock proteins, acting as molecular chaperones, protect heart muscle from ischemic injury and offer a potential approach to therapy. Here we describe preparation of an injectable form of heat shock protein 27, fused with a protein transduction domain (TAT-HSP27) and contained in a hybrid system of poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) microsphere and alginate hydrogel. By varying the porous structure of the microspheres, the release of TAT-HSP27 from the hybrid system was sustained for two weeks in vitro. The hybrid system containing TAT-HSP27 was intramyocardially injected into a murine myocardial infarction model, and its therapeutic effect was evaluated in vivo. The sustained delivery of TAT-HSP27 substantially suppressed apoptosis in the infarcted site, and improved the ejection fraction, end-systolic volume and maximum pressure development in the heart. Local and sustained delivery of anti-apoptotic proteins such as HSP27 using a hybrid system may present a promising approach to the treatment of ischemic diseases.

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Treatment with a mutant form of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) can prevent and reverse vitiligo.

Protein Post-Translational Modification Analyses Using On-Chip Immunoprobed Isoelectric Focusing

Post-translational modifications play a critical role in regulating protein function. Increasingly, determination of protein identity, estimation of abundance, and characterization of post-translational modifications are required for analysis of protein-mediated cell signaling networks. As such, we report an integrated and rapid multispectral immunoprobed isoelectric focusing technique for identifying specific proteins bearing post-translational modifications. Immunoprobed isoelectric focusing is composed of isoelectric focusing in a large pore-size polyacrylamide gel to determine protein pI followed by immobilization of pI-resolved proteins. Proteins are immobilized via covalent attachment to a channel-filling benzophenone-functionalized polyacrylamide gel via brief UV exposure (photoblot), followed by multispectral antibody-based detection. The assay correlates observed post-translational modifications to pI shifts relative to the unmodified protein of interest. During the electrokinetically driven antibody probing stage, we observed nonuniform electrophoretic probe mobility along the channel axis. The spatially varying mobility is attributed to nonuniform charge arising from covalent attachment of ampholytes to the benzophenone-functionalized gel matrix during the photoblotting step. Using the multistep microfluidic assay, phosphorylated and acetylated forms of heat shock protein 27 and superoxide dismutase 2 were detected, respectively. The assay reported protein isoforms in immune-purified sample and raw cell lysate in 2 hours with sample volume requirements of 2 μL. This new assay is well-matched to systems biology frameworks for study of protein post-translational modifications.

Inhibitors of TLR-4, NF-κB, and SAPK/JNK signaling reduce the toxic effect of lipopolysaccharide on RAW 264.7 cells

The present study was designed to examine and compare the effects of three suppressors on the cytokine response in tandem with examining: the synthesis of inducible forms of heat shock proteins; HSP72 and HSP90α; activities of NF-κB and SAPK/JNK signaling pathways; and TLR4 expression. Pre-treatment with inhibitors offers promise as protective means to lower the activity of these cascades, thereby circumventing the formation of excessive amounts of pro-inflammatory molecules. Three inhibitors of TLR4, SAPK/JNK, and NF-κB signaling, namely CLI-095, SP600125, and IKK Inhibitor XII, respectively, were added to cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages before the Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) application. Treatments of RAW 264.7 cells with each of the inhibitors resulted in a reduced response to LPS as was visualized by a decrease of TNF-α, IL-1, and IFN-γ production. In addition, inhibitors of the NF-κB and SAPK/JNK signaling reduced IL-6 production in LPS-treated cells, whereas the IKK inhibitor XII also decreased IL-10 production. Further, the NO production in LPS-stimulated macrophages was significantly reduced following application of CLI-095 or IKK inhibitor XII. The results also showed that the inhibitors suppressed TLR4 production and decreased phosphorylation of NF-κB and SAPK/JNK proteins, thereby preventing the activation NF-κB and SAPK/JNK signaling pathways in LPS-activated cells. In addition, the production of inducible heat shock proteins, HSP72 and HSP90-α, was reduced in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells pre-treated with inhibitors. These results suggest that inhibitors CLI-095, SP600125, and IKK inhibitor XII demonstrate potential effectiveness in the reduction of the inflammatory response by mechanisms involving both the cellular defense system and cellular signaling. In conclusion, suppressor of NF-κB cascade, IKK inhibitor XII, seems to be the most effective anti-toxic agent among studied inhibitors.

Differential proteomic analysis of highly purified placental cytotrophoblasts in pre‐eclampsia demonstrates a state of increased oxidative stress and reduced cytotrophoblast antioxidant defense

Proteomics were performed using highly (99.99%) purified cytotrophoblasts from six normal and six pre-eclamptic placentas. Eleven proteins were found which decreased in pre-eclampsia (actin, glutathione S-transferase, peroxiredoxin 6, aldose reductase, heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60), two molecular forms of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) β-tubulin, subunit proteasome, ezrin, protein disulfide isomerase, and phosphoglycerate mutase 1). Only one protein, α-2-HS-glycoprotein (fetuin), was found to increase its expression. Western blots of actin, Hsp70, ezrin, and glutatione S-transferase confirmed decrease in protein expression. Many of the proteins that decreased are consistent with a state of oxidative stress in the pre-eclamptic placenta and a decreased cytotrophoblast defense against and response to oxidative stress.

Myocardial expression of heat shock protein 70i protects early postoperative right ventricular function in cyanotic tetralogy of Fallot

Right ventricular dysfunction occurs after tetralogy of Fallot repair and may relate to greater myocardial vulnerability to ischemia-reperfusion injury in cyanotic patients. The inducible form of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70i), a molecular chaperone, is upregulated in response to cellular stress and limits myocardial injury against ischemia-reperfusion. We evaluated the myocardial expression of HSP-70i and its relation to right ventricular function and clinical outcome in patients with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing corrective surgery. Twenty patients with tetralogy of Fallot were studied: 10 cyanotic (group Cy) and 10 noncyanotic (group noCy). Western blot was used to quantify HSP-70i from resected right ventricular outflow tract myocardium at baseline and subsequent ischemic time. Biventricular function was quantified by tissue Doppler echocardiography and compared with that of 15 age-matched healthy children. Postoperative systemic perfusion was assessed by mixed venous oxygen saturation, oxygen extraction ratio, and lactate. Group Cy had thicker septum (median 0.85 vs 0.66 cm; P = .01) and longer crossclamp time (median 100.0 vs 67.5 minutes; P = .004). There were no difference in HSP-70i between groups at baseline (4.12 vs 3.44 relative optical density; P = .45) or subsequent ischemic time. Preoperative biventricular systolic function was reduced in patients with tetralogy compared with controls with further postoperative right ventricular impairment. Group Cy had higher troponin-I levels (median 16.5 vs 11.1 ng/mL; P = .04) and inotrope scores (14.0 vs 6.5; P = .05) but no differences in ventricular function, mixed venous oxygen saturation, oxygen extraction ratio, and lactate between groups. In group Cy, baseline HSP-70i correlated with better postoperative right ventricular function (rho = 0.80; P = .009), mixed venous oxygen saturation (rho = 0.68; P = .04), and oxygen extraction ratio (rho = -0.71; P = .03). These relationships were absent in group noCy. The association of HSP-70i expression with improved right ventricular function and systemic perfusion suggests an important cardioprotective effect of HSP-70i in cyanotic tetralogy of Fallot.

Stressful effects of chemical toxins at low concentrations

Effects of three chemical compounds: ammonia, diethyl ether, and acetic acid, known as common environmental contaminants in technogenic accidents, were investigated in vivo and in vitro in low concentrations. When added in cultivation media, each of the chemicals has affected peritoneal macrophages and spleen lymphocytes isolated from male NMRI mice and led to a rise in the production of several cytokines, particularly the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma, as well as the expression of the inducible form of heat shock proteins (HSP72 and HSP90-alpha) and in the activation of signal cascades NF-kappaB and SAPK/JNK. The increase of the nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages has been observed only when ammonia was added in cultivation media. Also, low concentrations of all compounds investigated led to the activation of the expression of receptor protein TLR4. When mice were exposed to airborne toxic contaminants in a hermetically sealed experimental chamber, an increase in the concentrations of cytokines, heat shock proteins, and signal proteins in immune cells was also observed in response to low concentrations of all chemicals investigated. Similarly to in vitro experiments, the NO production was augmented only in the presence of the airborne ammonia. The results indicate the environmental hazard of chemical contaminants even in rather low concentrations, which nevertheless lead to the stress response.

Hsp70 confines tumor progression of rat histiocytoma and impedes the cytotoxicity induced by natural killer cells and peritoneal macrophages

To study the role of inducible form of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in the host tumor regression of rat tumor model. We examined the role of Hsp70 in host tumorigenicity and in vitro cellular cytotoxicity using a rat histocytoma. The differential tumor growth and regression kinetics were studied and correlated with the expression of Hsp70, activation of macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, and circulating or tumor infiltrating immune molecules in the host system. The sub cuteaneous (s.c.) tumor regression was correlated with increased serum cytokines such as IL-12, TNF α, IFN γ and Hsp70. Despite of similar increase of Hsp70 in intraperitoneal (i.p.) tumor implanted animals, animals succumb to tumor growth, further, evidently, no immune molecule activation was observed. The viral promoter driven Hsp70 over expression in these tumor cells restrained solid tumor growth, however, failed to inhibit ascites growth. The NK cells from s.c. immunized animals induces cytotoxicity in the presence of anti-tumor antibody, which necessitated CD40-L expression, conversely, NK cells from i.p. immunized animals failed to induce cytotoxicity. The NK cells from s.c. or i.p. implanted animals with Hsp70 positive tumor cells failed to induce such cytotoxicity. The peritoneal macrophages isolated from s.c. tumor implanted animals when co-cultured with parental BC-8 cells lyses tumor cells, nevertheless entail macrophage specific TNF α expression. On the contrary, Hsp70 expressing BC-8 tumor cells were resistant to peritoneal macrophage induced cytolysis. This study brings out that Hsp70 possibly involved in regulating the host tumor response and cellular cytotoxicity.

P01-167 Anxiety, depression, quality of life related to induction of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70i) in biopsies of inflammatory bowel disease patients

Anxiety and Depression have often been associated in literaure, with the course of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases(IBD):Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). The chronic character of the disease influences Quality of Life (QoL) of affected patients.Aim:To measure Anxiety, Depression and Qol in IBD patients through psychometric tools and correlate these results with the presence or absence of the inducible form of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70i) in the histologic examination of the same patients. The HSPs are cellular proteins with ubiquitus presence in humans, known to exert cytoprotecive functions when induced under conditions of cellular stress ( heat, hypoxia, etc as well as psychophysiological stress).Мethod:The study was conducted between 2005 and 2008 in two general state hospitals in the broader area of Athens, Greece.Sample:59 IBD patients hospitalized for the endoscopic investigation of a possible relapse of their disease participated in the study(37 UC, 21 CD, 1 Intermediate Colitis).Procedure:A cross-sectional study was conducted through administration of the inventories and the comparison of their values with the presence of HSP70i in the histologic examination of each patient.Instruments used:a.WHOQOL-BREF;b.Zung Depression Scale;c.STAI (State Trait Anxiety Inventory);d.Нospital Anxiety Depression Scale;e.SPA-810 Antigen for HSP70i (Stressgen, Canada).Results:The X2 distribution for nominal data showed that the presence of the inducible form of HSP70 in the lymphoid tissue, the neutrophiles and the monocytes of IBD patients’ histologic examination is not the same (not homogeneous) regarding depression, anxiety and quality of life, suggesting its possible psychosomatic character (X2>6.635,d.f.=1,p< 0.01).

Proteomic alterations in heat shock protein 27 and identification of phosphoproteins in ascending aortic aneurysm associated with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve

Whether or not there are molecular differences, at the intra- and extracellular level, between aortic dilatation in patients with bicuspid (BAV) and those with a tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) has remained controversial for years. We have performed 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry coupled with dephosphorylation and phosphostaining experiments to reveal and define protein alterations and the high abundant structural phosphoproteins in BAV compared to TAV aortic aneurysm samples. 2-D gel patterns showed a high correlation in protein expression between BAV and TAV specimens ( n = 10). Few proteins showed significant differences, among those a phosphorylated form of heat shock protein (HSP) 27 with significantly lower expression in BAV compared to TAV aortic samples ( p = 0.02). The phosphoprotein tracing revealed four different phosphoproteins including Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor 1, calponin 3, myosin regulatory light chain 2 and four differentially phosphorylated forms of HSP27. Levels of total HSP27 and dually phosphorylated HSP27 (S78/S82) were investigated in an extended patient cohort ( n = 15) using ELISA. Total HSP27 was significantly lower in BAV compared to TAV patients ( p = 0.03), with no correlation in levels of phospho-HSP27 (S78/S82) ( p = 0.4). Western blots analysis showed a trend towards lower levels of phospho-HSP27 (S78) in BAV patients ( p = 0.07). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that differences in HSP27 occur in the cytoplasma of VSMC's and not extracellularly. Alterations in HSP27 may give early evidence for intracellular differences in aortic aneurysm of patients with BAV and TAV. Whether HSP27 and the defined phosphoproteins have a specific role in BAV associated aortic dilatation remains to be elucidated.