Circulating Heat Shock Protein 70 in Health, Aging and Disease

Abstract

BackgroundHeat shock proteins (Hsp) are ubiquitously synthesised in virtually all species and it is hypothesised that they might have beneficial health effects. Recent studies have identified circulating Hsp as an important mediator in inflammation - the effects of low-grade inflammation in the aging process are overwhelming. While much is known about intracellular Hsp70, scant data exist on circulating Hsp70 in the aging context. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of age and disease on circulating Hsp70 and, in particular, to evaluate the association between circulating Hsp70 and inflammatory parameters.ResultsSerum Hsp70, Interleukin (IL) -10, IL-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha concentrations were determined in 90 hospitalised geriatric patients (aged 83 ± 6 years) and in 200 community-dwelling control subjects (100 elderly, aged 74 ± 5 years, and 100 young, aged 23 ± 3 years). In the community-dwelling elderly, serum Hsp70 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly lower and IL-6 was significantly higher when compared to healthy young control subjects. Elderly patients presenting inflammation (CRP serum levels ≥5 mg/L) showed significantly (p = 0.007) higher Hsp70 values; and Hsp70 correlated positively (p < 0.001) with IL-6 and CRP, but not with TNF-alpha or IL-10. A significant association was also noted between Hsp70 levels and the degree of dependency and cognitive decline in geriatric patients.ConclusionsThe present data provide new evidence that serum concentration of Hsp70 decreases with age in a normal population. Our study also shows that higher levels of Hsp70 are associated with inflammation and frailty in elderly patients.

The detection and role of heat shock protein 70 in various nondisease conditions and disease conditions: a literature review

“…Additionally, two-to four-fold increases in plasma levels of inflammatory mediators occur during the aging process, yet the association between serum HSP70 and age is unknown. A study in communitydwelling elderly people found that the serum concentration of HSP70 decreased with age in a normal population, with higher levels of HSP70 being associated with inflammation and frailty in elderly patients (Njemini et al 2011a). Furthermore, healthy elderly individuals might have proinflammatory profiles that downregulate inducible HSP70 (Marotta et al 2007).…”

HSP70 (HSPA1) polymorphisms for former workers with chronic mercury vapor exposure

“…It was assumed that this allele is linked to the C dominant allele of HSPA1B (-179C/T) and the CC genotype, which were associated with lower HSPA1A and HSPA1B mRNA levels and affected HSP70 production. Furthermore, HSP70 amount in human serum decreased with age in the normal population and inflammatory pathologies in elderly individuals were associated with elevated HSP70 levels [16]. However, it is currently unknown whether there is an association of polymorphisms in HSPs genes with the mechanisms which are important for the development and progression of the CMI.…”

Farklı Yaşlardaki Saanen Keçilerinin Farkli Mevsimlerdeki HSP 60 ve HSP70 için mRNA Gen Ekspresyon Profilleri

“…Similarly, it was reported that mRNA expression levels for HSP70 in aged T lymphocytes [20] . It was found in a study they conducted on humans in various age groups that HSP70 level diminished depending on aging [21] . In another study, they conducted on young (5 months old) and old (24 months old) male Winstar rats that HSP70 expression was decreased in the shin and lung cells after a heat stres exposure [22] .…”