Circulating antibodies to inducible heat shock protein 70 in patients with uveitis

Abstract

Heat shock proteins with molecular weight 70 kDa (hsp70) are highly conserved immunogenic intracellular molecules. There are two main subtypes: one is expressed constitutively (hsc70), while the other is induced under stressful conditions (ihsp70). Using an ELISA directed against recombinant human ihsp70, antibody titers were determined in patients with defined ocular inflammatory conditions (Behçet's disease, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH), pars planitis, and sarcoidosis) as well as in a group of age-matched normal volunteers. In comparison to healthy controls (n = 14, absorbance 0.269), levels were significantly elevated in Behçet's disease (n = 18; 0.412), sarcoidosis (n = 15; 0.432), and pars planitis (n = 13; 0.346), but not in VKH (n = 10; 0.263). A correlation was also noted for treatment versus no treatment in pars planitis (p = 0.028), but not in other inflammatory conditions. There was no correlation with the level of intraocular disease activity as defined by vitreous haze and vision drop. Since pars planitis is a purely ocular condition, circulating levels of ihsp antibodies likely reflect the extent of disease involvement within the eye.

Antibodies against heat shock proteins in environmental stresses and diseases: friend or foe?

“…Finally, De Smet and Ramadan (2001) reported that levels of antibodies to human inducible Hsp70 were significantly higher in Behcet's disease, sarcoidosis, and pars planitis than in controls, suggesting that the circulating levels of this antibody might reflect the extent of disease involvement with the eye.…”

Cytokines and Chemokines in Uveitis - Is there a Correlation with Clinical Phenotype?

“…133 HSP70 has been detected in the eyes of Lewis rats in experimental autoimmune uveitis, 134 and circulating antibodies to inducible HSP70 have also been found in patients with uveitis associated with sarcoidosis as well as BD. 135 HSPs from various infectious pathogens may induce disease through molecular mimicry, and as such, γδ T cells that are reactive against HSPs have been associated with sarcoidosis. 136 Inhaled antigens have been studied, and evidence has been found for the presence of airborne typical and atypical mycobacteria.…”

Genetics of Sarcoidosis: Candidate Genes and Genome Scans

“…Polymorphisms in the HSPA1L (alias HSP70-hom) have been associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (57). Antibodies to HSP70 in sarcoidosis have been reported (58,59). To further evaluate the role of HSPs in sarcoidosis, the HSP70 ϩ2437 C allele was evaluated and found to be associated with sarcoidosis and Lö fgren's syndrome in Polish patients (60) but not in Japanese patients (61).…”