Distinctive patterns of Hsp60 levels and localization in human colon mucosa

Abstract

Hsp60 is a Group I chaperonin highly conserved during evolution that in normal human cells is localized mainly in the mitochondrial matrix but stress causes changes in its levels and localization. We studied with a battery of techniques human mucosa from: a) normal colon (NM); b) hyperplastic polyps (HP); c) tubular adenomas with dysplasia (TAD); d) Crohn's disease (CD); e) ulcerative colitis (UC); and f) adenocarcinomas (AC). We observed patterns of Hsp60 levels and subcellular localization which depended on the pathology. Hsp60 levels in TAD, CD and UC (all pre‐tumoral conditions) were higher than in NM and HP but lower than in AC that showed the highest levels. Hsp60 was localized mainly in epithelial cells and, sparsely also in lamina propria. In epithelial cells of all the conditions examined (except NM and HP) Hsp60 was abundantly present not only in mitochondria but also in the cytosol, the latter being a pre‐requisite for its secretion. In conclusion, Hsp60 levels and localization patterns distinctively reflect the health status of these tissues and help to distinguish pathologic conditions.Grant Funding Source: University of Palermo