1Lawind M.F, 2Elwan N.M, 2Sweilam M.A and 2Hazzaa S.M
Departments of 1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and 2Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University.
Heat shock or stress proteins (HSPs) are detected in all
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. HSPs are highly conserved immunodominant
antigens found in various species and have a range of functions including the
maintenance of cellular integrity and alteration of their functions. Increased
levels of HSPs occur after environmental stresses, infection, normal
physiological processes, and gene transfer. The purpose of this study was to
assess the presence of HSP-70 and anti-HSP-70 antibodies in the sera of 20
normal controls compared with 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Sixteen patients with recent onset of RA (<1 year) and 19 patients with
long-standing onset of the disease were studied. Rheumatoid Factor (RF) was
also assessed. HSP-70 was detected in the sera of 15 (75%) of the 20 normal
individuals and in sera of all RA patients of both groups. The concentrations
of HSP-70 in normal females were approximately three times the levels in normal
males (P<0.001), while no significant difference (P>0.05) between levels
in male and female RA patients was observed. There was no significant
difference between levels of anti-HSP-70 antibodies between males and females
of each group. The concentrations of HSP-70 and anti-HSP-70 antibodies were
significantly increased in both patient groups compared to normals
(P<0.001). The anti-HSP-70 antibody concentrations was significantly higher
(P<0.001) in recent onset group compared to long-standing. Also, this study
reported that, the frequency of positive RF in long-standing group was 47%
compared to 31% in recent onset group. These findings support the hypothesis
that HSP-70 appears to play a role in the autoimmune responses, as well as to
be a sensitive biomarker for monitoring cellular stress.