Serum levels of free heat shock protein 70 and anti-HSP70 are elevated in Behçet`s disease

CER3380
2008 Vol.26, N°4 ,Suppl.50
PI 0096, PF 0098
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PMID: 19026123 [PubMed]

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
As heat shock proteins (HSPs) are described as candidate self-antigens in Behçet`s disease (BD), free HSP70 and anti-HSP70 levels were measured in the sera of patients to investigate their role in the pathogenesis of BD.
METHODS:
Free human HSP70 levels were measured in the sera of patients with BD and compared to disease controls [patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or recurrent oral ulcerations (ROU)] and healthy controls (HC) using ELISA. Anti-HSP70 antibody levels were also determined.
RESULTS:
Free human HSP70 levels were significantly elevated in BD sera (1.12±0.86 ng/ml) compared to HC (0.67±0.46 ng/ml, BD vs. HC: p<0.001). However similarly elevated levels were also present in ROU (0.95±1.01 ng/ml, p<0.05) and RA (1.1±23.3 ng/ml, p<0.01). Anti-HSP70 antibody levels were also significantly higher in BD (668±658 µg/ml) compared to HC (490±742.05 µg/ml, p<0.05). However no significant anti-HSP70 antibody responses were observed in ROU (634.7±548.21 µg/ml) and RA (431.8±840.98 µg/ml). No association of any organ manifestation, the disease duration, or treatment with HSP70 or anti-HSP70 antibody levels were observed in BD. A correlation between HSP70 and anti-HSP70 levels was only found in HC (p=0.007).
CONCLUSIONS:
Free human HSP70 and anti-HSP70 antibodies are both elevated in patients with BD. HSP70-mediated innate and adaptive immune responses may participate in proinflammatory cytokine activation and tissue destruction in BD.