Heat shock proteins and inflammation

Heat shock proteins (HSP) have received ample interest by immunologists over recent years. Initially they were found to be dominantly immunogenic microbial antigens. The connection with inflammation was established when it was uncovered that T cells specific for these antigens have a crucial role in the induction and regulation of experimental arthritis. Since then, the raised presence of immunity to HSPs in virtually all conditions of inflammation, including autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and atherosclerosis, has emphasised the critical significance of immunity to HSPs in inflammatory diseases.