Heat shock proteins (hsps) are intracellular chaperones that play a key role in the recovery from stress. Hsp70, the major stress-induced hsp, has been found in the extracellular medium and is capable of activating immune cells. The mechanism involved in Hsp70 release is controversial because this protein does not present a consensual secretory signal. In this study, we have shown that Hsp70 integrates into artificial lipid bilayer openings of ion conductance pathways. In addition, this protein was found inserted into the plasma membrane of cells after stress. Hsp70 was released into the extracellular environment in a membrane-associated form, sharing the characteristics of this protein in the plasma membrane. Extracellular membranes containing Hsp70 were at least 260-fold more effective than free recombinant protein in inducing TNF-α production as an indicator of macrophage activation. These observations suggest that Hsp70 translocates into the plasma membrane after stress and is released within membranous structures from intact cells, which could act as a danger signal to activate the immune system.

Gap junctions (Gj) play an important role in the communication between cells of many tissues. They are composed of channels that permit the passage of ions and low molecular weight metabolites between adjacent cells, without exposure to the extracellular environment. These pathways are formed by the interaction between two hemichannels on the surface of opposing cells. These hemichannels are formed by the association of six identical subunits, named connexins (Cx), which are integral membrane proteins. Cell coupling via Gj is dependent on the specific pattern of Cx gene expression. This pattern of gene expression is altered during several pathological conditions resulting in changes of cell coupling. The regulation of Cx gene expression is affected at different levels from transcription to post translational processes during injury. In addition, Gj cellular communication is regulated by gating mechanisms. The alteration of Gj communication during injury could be rationalized by two opposite theories. One hypothesis proposes that the alteration of Gj communication attenuates the spread of toxic metabolites from the injured area to healthy organ regions. The alternative proposition is that a reduction of cellular communication reduces the loss of important cellular metabolisms, such as ATP and glucose.

The response to injury is activated at the systemic and cellular levels. At the systemic level, phagocytosis plays a key role in controlling infections and clearing necrotic and apoptotic cells. The expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp), which is a well-conserved process, is a major component of cellular response to stress. This study investigated the relationship between Hsps and phagocytosis. An increase in the phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria particles and latex beads was observed upon incubation of murine macrophages with geldanamycin (GA), a specific inhibitor of the Hsp90 family of proteins. The effect of GA on phagocytosis was blocked by coincubation with inhibitors of transcription (actinomycin D) or translation (cycloheximide), suggesting that gene expression was required. Because expression of Hsps has been observed after GA treatment, the effect of heat shock on phagocytosis was investigated. Similar to GA treatment, heat shock resulted in an actinomycin D-sensitive elevation of phagocytosis, which suggests that Hsps are involved. The increase in phagocytosis after GA treatment was not due to increased binding of opsonized particles to their respective receptors on the macrophage surface or to elevated oxidative stress. However, it was correlated with a rapid polymerization of actin in proximity to the plasma membrane. These results suggest that Hsps play a role in the modulation of the phagocytic process, which is part of the stress response.