Prognostic and immunological roles of heat shock protein A4 in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Heat shock protein A4(HSPA4)belongs to molecular chaperone protein family which plays important roles within variable cellular activities,including cancer initiation and progression.However,the prognostic and immunological significance of HSPA4 in lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)has not been revealed yet.AIM To explore the prognostic and immunological roles of HSPA4 to identify a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.METHODS We assessed the prognostic and immunological significance of HSPA4 in LUAD using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database.The association between HSPA4 expression and clinical-pathological features was assessed through Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Univariate/multivariate Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to evaluate prognostic factors,including HSPA4,in LUAD.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was conducted to identify the key signaling pathways associated with HSPA4.The correlation between HSPA4 expression and cancer immune infiltration was evaluated using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA).RESULTS Overexpressing HSPA4 was significantly related to advanced pathologic TNM stage,advanced pathologic stage,progression disease status of primary therapy outcome and female subgroups with LUAD.In addition,increased HSPA4 expression was found to be related to worse disease-specific survival and overall survival.GSEA analysis indicated a significant correlation between HSPA4 and cell cycle regulation and immune response,particularly through diminishing the function of cytotoxicity cells and CD8 T cells.The ssGSEA algorithm showed a positive correlation between HSPA4 expression and infiltrating levels of Th2 cells,while a negative correlation was observed with cytotoxic cell infiltration levels.CONCLUSION Our findings indicate HSPA4 is related to prognosis and immune cell infiltrates and may act as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for LUAD.

Preparation and application of a novel monoclonal antibody specific for the heat shock protein 60 of Lawsonia intracellularis

Porcine proliferative enteropathy(PPE),an important infectious disease in pig production caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis,is commonly associated with diarrhea and reduced weight gain in growing pigs widespread.An accurate method for detecting L.intracellularis is particularly important for preventing and controlling PPE.Heat shock protein 60(Hsp60)is an immunodominant bacterial antigen found in all eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.Thus,the purpose of the current investigation was to produce a novel L.intracellularis Hsp60 monoclonal antibody(mAb)useful for immunodiagnostics.Three hybridomas secreted anti-Hsp60 termed 3E5,4E2,and 9G6 were generated,and the titers of ascitic fluids of 3E5,4E2,9G6 were 1:1024000,1:2048000 and 1:2048000,respectively.The Western blotting analysis demonstrated that recombinant Hsp60(rHsp60)was recognized by mAbs 3E5,4E2 and 9G6.Subsequently,analyses of specificity showed all the mAbs were highly specific to L.intracellularis while could not significantly react with other enteric bacteria commonly found in the ileum of pigs,such as Escherichia coli,Salmonella Choleraesuis,Salmonella Typhimurium,and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.Furthermore,the mAbs were useful for detecting L.intracellularis in the infected monolayer cells and histological sections of the ileum from PPE-affected pigs.Our research will provide a foundation for the development of immunological diagnostic tests.

Glutamine supplementation attenuates intestinal apoptosis by inducing heat shock protein 70 in heatstroke rats

BACKGROUND:Heatstroke is the most hazardous heat-related illness and has a high fatality rate.We investigated whether glutamine supplementation could have a protective effect on heatstroke rats.METHODS:Twenty-five 12-week-old male Wistar rats(weight 305±16 g)were randomly divided into a control group(n=5),heatstroke(HS)group(n=10),and heatstroke+glutamine(HSG)group(n=10).Seven days before heat exposure,glutamine(0.4 g/[kg·d])was administered to the rats in the HSG group by gavage every day.Three hours after heat exposure,serum samples were collected to detect white blood cells,coagulation indicators,blood biochemical indicators,and inflammatory cytokines in the rats.The small intestine tissue was stained to analyze pathological structural changes and apoptosis.Finally,immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression levels of heat shock protein 70(HSP70).Multiple comparisons were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance,and the Bonferroni test was conducted for the post hoc comparisons.RESULTS:After heat exposure,the core temperature of the HS group(40.65±0.31°C)was higher than the criterion of heatstroke,whereas the core temperature of the HSG group(39.45±0.14°C)was lower than the criterion.Glutamine supplementation restored the increased white blood cells,coagulation indicators,blood biochemical indicators,and inflammatory cytokines that were induced by heatstroke to normal levels.The intestinal mucosa was injured,and the structure of tight junctions was damaged in the HS group;however,the structure of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells was stable in the HSG group.Glutamine supplementation alleviated intestinal apoptosis and up-regulated HSP70 expression.CONCLUSION:Glutamine supplementation may alleviate intestinal apoptosis by inducing the expression of HSP70 and have a protective effect on heatstroke rats.

Effectiveness of conjunctival bleb scarring by knockdown of heat shock protein 47 in rat model

AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness of knock-down of heat shock protein 47(HSP47)on conjunctival bleb scarring in a rat model and its possible mechanism.METHODS:Male Sprague–Dawley rats were used for glaucoma filtration surgery(GFS)and were treated with either phosphate buffered solution,shControl,mitomycin C,or sh-HSP47 using a microsyringe immediately after GFS.The morphology of filtering blebs was observed postoperatively.The levels of HSP47 were analyzed at 2,5,8,and 11d after GFS via real‑time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and Western blot.The silencing effect of HSP47,the expression of collagen I and III,and the potential signaling pathways of HSP47 during scarification were explored 11d post GFS.The protein levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),phospho-Smad2(pSmad2),phospho-Smad3(p-Smad3),and phospho-p38(p-p38)were also analyzed using Western blot.RESULTS:Sh-HSP47 treatment significantly prolonged the functional filtration bleb retention.The levels of HSP47 were increased significantly at 5,8,and 11d postoperatively compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01,and P<0.001).The levels of HSP47 protein at day 11 postoperatively were significantly down-regulated after HSP47 silencing using sh-HSP47 adenovirus transfection(P<0.01).Expression levels of collagen I and III within the blebs were significantly reduced in the absence of HSP47(P<0.01).Moreover,the protein levels of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,and p-p38 were dramatically inhibited after treatment with sh-HSP47(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The inhibitory effects of HSP47 knockdown on scarring after GFS have the potential to be an efficacious therapeutic option for the treatment of conjunctival bleb scarring.

Molecular Cloning the Gene of Small Heat Shock Protein in the Mitochondria and Endoplasmic Reticulum of Tomato

A cDNA Library was constructed with the heat shocked tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) flowers and then was screened with the probes of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum conservative regions that were cloned by using RT-PCR. The complete cDNAs of mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum small heat shock protein ( shsp) were selected out from the cDNA library. Furthermore, the temperature responses of these shsp genes were determined. Northern hybridization showed that the heat response temperatures of both genes in tomato flower were lower than that in leaf and that mitochondria shsp in leaf was cold-inducible. In this paper, the molecular features of the cloned genes, the causes of the uncommon heat response temperatures of sHSP in newer and the cold inducible character of mitochondria shsp gene in leaf were discussed.

Heat Shock Proteins Inducement in Wheat Seedling

High temperature is an important limiting factor to the improvement of wheat yield. When suffered hot stress,wheat will produce a series of heat shock proteins to adapt this adversity. In different upgrowth phases,or different heat-resistant crop varieties,the heat shock protein exist differences. Therefore,study on differences of heat shock protein has significant theoretical and practical meaning for researching heat resistance of wheat. By using SDS-PAGE method,the inducing conditions and manifestation of heat shock protein were studied,which provided theoretical basis for yield increasing of wheat.

STUDY ON THE ANTI-TUMOR EFFICACY INDUCED BY HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70-PEPTIDE COMPLEXES DERIVED FROM TUMOR CELLS

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and explore the mechanism of the anti-tumor immunity elicited by heat shock protein 70-peptide complexes (HSP70-PC) derived from tumor cells. METHODS: Cells culture, flow cytometric analysis, affinity chromatography for protein purification, SDS-PAGE, Western-blotting and animal experiment were used. RESULTS: HSP70-PC immunization rendered protective effect to both naive tumorl-bearing mice. All of the naive mice obtained complete resistance to Hcaf cell attack; 40% of the tumor-bearing mice survived for over 90 days, whereas the mice of control group died within 2 weeks (P

Heat shock protein 20 promotes sirtuin 1-dependent cell proliferation in induced pluripotent stem cells

BACKGROUND Heat shock proteins(HSPs)are molecular chaperones that protect cells against cellular stresses or injury.However,it has been increasingly recognized that they also play crucial roles in regulating fundamental cellular processes.HSP20 has been implicated in cell proliferation,but conflicting studies have shown that it can either promote or suppress proliferation.The underlying mechanisms by which HSP20 regulates cell proliferation and pluripotency remain unexplored.While the effect of HSP20 on cell proliferation has been recognized,its role in inducing pluripotency in human-induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)has not been addressed.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of HSP20 overexpression in human iPSCs and evaluate the ability to promote cell proliferation.The purpose of this study was to investigate whether overexpression of HSP20 in iPSCs can increase pluripotency and regeneration.METHODS We used iPSCs,which retain their potential for cell proliferation.HSP20 overexpression effectively enhanced cell proliferation and pluripotency.Overexpression of HSP20 in iPSCs was characterized by immunocytochemistry staining and realtime polymerase chain reaction.We also used cell culture,cell counting,western blotting,and flow cytometry analyses to validate HSP20 overexpression and its mechanism.RESULTS This study demonstrated that overexpression of HSP20 can increase the pluripotency in iPSCs.Furthermore,by overexpressing HSP20 in iPSCs,we showed that HSP20 upregulated proliferation markers,induced pluripotent genes,and drove cell proliferation in a sirtuin 1(SIRT1)-dependent manner.These data have practical applications in the field of stem cell-based therapies where the mass expansion of cells is needed to generate large quantities of stem cell-derived cells for transplantation purposes.CONCLUSION We found that the overexpression of HSP20 enhanced the proliferation of iPSCs in a SIRT1-dependent manner.Herein,we established the distinct crosstalk between HSP20 and SIRT1 in regulating cell proliferation and pluripotency.Our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms controlling cell proliferation that can potentially be exploited to improve the expansion and pluripotency of human iPSCs for cell transplantation therapies.These results suggest that iPSCs overexpressing HSP20 exert regenerative and proliferative effects and may have the potential to improve clinical outcomes.

Expression of heat shock proteins (HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, GRP78, GRP94) in hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules

AIM: Expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is frequently up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which evolves from dysplastic nodule (DN) and early HCC to advanced HCC. However, little is known about the differential expression of HSPs in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. It was the purpose of this study to monitor the expression of HSPs in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis and to evaluate their prognostic significance in hepatitis B virus (HBV)related HCC.METHODS: Thirty-eight HCC and 19 DN samples were obtained from 52 hepatitis B surface antigen-positive Korean patients. Immunohistochemical and dot immunoblot analyses of HSP27, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, glucoseregulated protein (GRP)78, and GRP94 were performed and their expression at different stages of HCC development was statistically analyzed.RESULTS: Expression of HSP27, HSP70, HSP90, GRP78, and GRP94 increased along with the stepwise progression of hepatocarcinogenesis. Strong correlation was found only in GRP78 (Spearman's r= 0.802). There was a positive correlation between the expressions of GRP78, GRP94, HSP90, or HSP70 and prognostic factors of HCC. Specifically, the expression of GRP78, GRP94, or HSP90 was associated significantly with vascular invasion and intrahepatic metastasis.CONCLUSION: The expressions of HSPs are commonly up-regulated in HBV-related HCCs and GRP78 might play an important role in the stepwise progression of HBVrelated hepatocarcinogenesis. GRP78, GRP94, and HSP90 may be important prognostic markers of HBV-related HCC, strongly suggesting vascular invasion and intrahepatic metastasis.

Association of high expression in rat gastric mucosal heat shock protein 70 induced by moxibustion pretreatment with protection against stress injury

AIM:To study the effect of moxibustion on Zusanli or Liangmeng point on gastric mucosa injury in stress-induced ulcer rats and its correlation with the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). METHODS:Sixty healthy SD rats (30 males,30 females) were divided into control group,injury model group,Zushanli point group,Liangmeng point group. Stress gastric ulcer model was induced by binding cold stress method. Gastric mucosa ulcer injury (UI) index was calculated by Guth method. Gastric mucosa blood flow (GMBF) was recorded with a biological signal analyzer. Protein content and gene expression in gastric mucosal HSP70 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Thiobarbital method was used to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Gastric mucosal endothelin (ET) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS:High gastric mucosal UI index,high HSP70 expression,low GMBF and PGF2,elevated MDA and ET were observed in gastric mucosa of rats subjected to cold stress. Moxibustion on Zusanli or Liangmeng point decreased rat gastric mucosal UI index,MDA and ET. Conversely,the expression of HSP70,GMBF,and PGE2 was elevated in gastric mucosa after pretreatment with moxibustion on Zusanli or Liangmeng point. The observed parameters were significantly different between Zusanli and Liangmeng points. CONCLUSION:Pretreatment with moxibustion on Zusanli or Liangmeng point protects gastric mucosa against stress injury. This protection is associated with the higher expression of HSP70 mRNA and protein,leading to release of PGE2 and inhibition of MDA and ET,impairment of gastric mucosal index.

Heat shock protein 70 antisense oligonucleotide inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901

AIM: Heat shock protein (HSP)70 is over-expressed in human gastric cancer and plays an important role in the progression of this cancer. We investigated the effects of antisense HSP70 oligomer on human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901, and its potential role in gene therapy for this cancer.METHODS: Human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 was treated in vitro with various concentrations of antisense HSP70 oligonucleotides at different intervals. Growth inhibition was determined as percentage by trypan blue dye exclusion test. Extracted DNA was electrophoresed on agarose gel, and distribution of cell cycle and kinetics of apoptosis induction were analyzed by propidium iodide DNA incorporation using flow cytometry, which was also used to detect the effects of antisense oligomer pretreatment on the subsequent apoptosis induced by heat shock in SGC-7901 cells. Proteins were extracted for simultaneous measurement of HSP70 expression level by SDS-PAGE Western blotting.RESULTS: The number of viable cells decreased in a doseand time-dependent manner, and ladder-like patterns of DNA fragments were observed in SGC-7901 cells treated with antisense HSP70 oligomers at a concentration of 10 μmol/L for 48 h or 8 μmol/L for 72 h, which were consistent with inter-nucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis showed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptotic rate by HSP70 antisense oligomers. This response was accompanied with a decrease in the percentage of cells in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle, suggesting inhibition of cell proliferation. In addition, flow cytometry also showed that pretreatment of SGC-7901 cells with HSP70 antisense oligomers enhanced the subsequent apoptosis induced by heat shock treatment. Western blotting demonstrated that HSP70 antisense oligomers inhibited HSP70 expression, which preceded apoptosis, and HSP70 was undetectable at the concentration of 10 μmol/L for 48 h or 8 μmol/L for 72 h.CONCLUSION: Antisense HSP70 oligomers can abrogate HSP70 expression in SGC-7901 cells, which may in turn induce apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation, conversely suggesting that HSP70 is required for the proliferation and survival of human gastric cancer cells under normal conditions.

H pylori infection and systemic antibodies to CagA and heat shock protein 60 in patients with coronary heart disease

AIM: To determine the overall prevalence of H pylori and CagA positive H pylori infection and the prevalence of other bacterial and viral causes of chronic infection in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), and the potential role of anti-heat-shock protein 60 (Hsp60) anti- body response to these proteins in increasing the risk of CHD development. METHODS: Eighty patients with CHD and 160 controls were employed. We also compared the levels of anti- heat-shock protein 60 (Hsp60) antibodies in the two groups. The H pylori infection and the CagA status were determined serologically, using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and a Western blotting method developed in our laboratory. Systemic antibodies to Hsp60 were determined by a sandwich ELISA, using a polyclonal antibody to Hsp60 to sensitise polystyrene plates and a commercially available human Hsp60 as an antigen. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H pylori infec- tion was 78.7% (n = 63) in patients and 76.2% (n = 122) in controls (P = 0.07). Patients infected by CagA- positive (CagA+) H pylori strains were 71.4% (n = 45) vs 52.4% of infected controls (P = 0.030, OR = 2.27). Sys-temic levels of IgG to Hsp60 were increased in H pylori- negative patients compared with uninfected controls (P < 0.001) and CagA-positive infected patients compared with CagA-positive infected controls (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: CagA positive H pylori infection may concur to the development of CHD; high levels of anti- Hsp60 antibodies may constitute a marker and/or a con- comitant pathogenic factor of the disease.

Correlation between clinicopathology and expression of heat shock protein 70 and glucose-regulated protein 94 in human colonic adenocarcinoma

AIM: To investigate the correlation between clinicopathology and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and glucose-regulated protein 94 (grp94) in human colonic carcinoma. METHODS: The expression of HSP70 and grp94 was studied in 80 human colonic cancers with or without metastasis as well as in their adjacent mucous membrane by way of immunohistochemistry and pathology photograph analysis. RESULTS: The expression of HSP70 and grp94 was significantly higher in cancer than that in adjacent mucous membrane (92.5%, 85.0% vs 56.3%, 42.5%, P<0.01). HSP70 and grp94 expressed higher in moderately- and poorly-differentiated colonic cancers than that in their adjacent tissues (93.7%, 87.5%; 100%, 90% vs56.3%, 42.5%;P<0.01). Dukes C and D stages of colonic cancers showed higher positive rates than Dukes A and B stage groups (97.1%, 91.2%; 100%, 90.9%; vs 80%, 70%; 78.6%, 71.4%; P<0.05). There were definite differences in HSP70 and grp94 expression between metastasis groups and non-metastasis groups (100% vs 75%, 100% CONCLUSION: The HSP70 and grp94 expression rates in colonic cancer groups are significantly higher than that in their adjacent mucous membrane. The HSP70 and grp94 expression in poorly-differentiated colonic cancers with metastasis is significantly higher than well-differentiated cancers without metastasis. The overexpression of HSP70 and grp94 can be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers for colonic cancer.

Heat shock protein 72 confers protection in retinal ganglion cells and lateral geniculate nucleus neurons via blockade of the SAPK/JNK pathway in a chronic ocular-hypertensive rat model

Optic nerve transection increased the expression of heat shock protein 72 （HSP72） in the lateral geniculate body, indicating that this protein is involved in the prevention of neuronal injury. Zinc sulfate and quercetin induced and inhibited the expression of HSP72, respectively. Intraperitoneal injections of zinc sulfate, SP600125 （c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor）, or quercetin were performed on retinal ganglion cells in a Wistar rat model of chronic ocular hypertension. Our results showed that compared with the control group, the expression of HSP72 in retinal ganglion cells and the lateral geniculate body was increased after the injection of zinc sulfate, but was decreased after the injection of quercetin. The expression of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinases and phosphorylated c-Jun were visible 3 days after injection in the control group, and reached apeak at 7 days. Zinc sulfate and SP600125 significantly decreased the expression of p-c-Jun, whereas quercetin significantly enhanced the expression of this protein. These results suggest that HSP72 protects retinal ganglion cells and lateral geniculate body in a rat model of chronic ocular hypertension from injury by blocking the activation of the stress-activated kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase apoptotic pathway.

Influence of Tanshinone lla on heat shock protein 70,Bcl-2 and Bax expression in rats with spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Tanshinone lla is an effective monomer component of Danshen, which is a traditional Chinese medicine for activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis. Tanshinone Ila can effectively improve brain tissue ischemia/hypoxia injury. The present study established a rat model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury and intraperitoneally injected Tanshinone lla, 0.5 hour prior to model establishment. Results showed that Tanshinone Ila promoted heat shock protein 70 and Bcl-2 protein expression, but inhibited Bax protein expression in the injured spinal cord after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Furthermore, Nissl staining indicated a reduction in nerve cell apoptosis and fewer pathological lesions in the presence of Tanshinone Ila, compared with positive control Danshen injection.

Expression and significance of heat shock protein 70 and glucose-regulated protein 94 in human esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression and significance of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and glucose-regulated protein 94 (grp94) in human esophageai carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues. METHODS: The expression of HSP70 and grp94 in 78 human esophageai cancer and adjacent normal tissues was studied by immunohistochemistry and pathology photograph analysis. RESULTS: Both esophageai cancer and adjacent normal tissues could express HSP70 and grp94. Of the 78 cases of esophageai carcinoma, 95.0%(72/78) showed positive HSP70, mainly stained in nuclei, while grp94 was mainly stained in cell plasma, and the positive rate was 71.8% (56/78).There was a significant difference in the expression of HSP70 and grp94 between esophageai cancer and adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01). Compared with adjacent normal tissues, there was a significant difference between differential types and HSP70 expression (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: HSP70 and grp94 express differently in cell plasma and nuclei. The expression intensity of HSP70 is related to the differentiation of esophageai carcinoma.

The mRNA Expression Profiles of Five Heat Shock Protein Genes from Frankliniella occidentalis at Different Stages and Their Responses to Temperatures and Insecticides

The westem flower thrips, Frankliniella occidental＆ （Pergande） is a highly invasive pest that is able to exploit many crops across a wide range of environmental conditions. Five full-length cDNAs of heat shock protein （HSP） genes （Fo-HSP90, Fo-HSP70, Fo-HSP60, Fo-HSP40 and Fo-HSP28.9） were cloned from F. occidentalis, and their expression profiles were investigated under conditions of thermal stress and insecticide exposure, and at different stages during development, using real-time quantitative PCR. All five gene sequences showed high similarity to homologs in other species, indicating the conserved fimction of this gene family. HSP60 represents an informative phylogenetic marker at the ordinal taxonomic level within Insecta, but HSP90, which has two homologous copies in Hymenoptera, was not informative. The expression of Fo-HSPs under thermal stress suggests that Fo-HSP90, Fo-HSP70, and Fo-HSP28.9 are inducible by both cold and heat stress, Fo-HSP40 is only heat-inducible, and Fo-HSP60 is thermally insensitive. There were two patterns of cold induction of Fo-HSPs： one is from 0 to 4℃ and the other is around -8℃. All five Fo-HSPs genes were induced by exposure to sublethal concentrations of the insecticide avermectin. The expression of the five Fo-HSPs during different developmental stages suggests that they all play a role in development of F. occidentalis.

Radiofrequency ablation,heat shock protein 70 and potential anti-tumor immunity in hepatic and pancreatic cancers:a minireview

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure which has widespread popularity in the treatment of hepatic and pancreatic cancers. Increased evidence indicates that RFA stimulates anti-tumor immunity, possibly through the induction heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression. HSP70 has the capacity to affect the immunogenicity of tumor cells, to chaperone antigenic peptides and deliver these into antigen presentation pathways within antigen-presenting cells, and to activate and regulate innate and adaptive immunity, which makes it useful in immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancers. DATA SOURCES: An English-language literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1991-2010) on anti-tumor immunity, heat shock protein 70, radiofrequency ablation, hepatic cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other related subjects. RESULTS: RFA has an increasing application in the surgical treatment of hepatic and pancreatic cancers. Increased evidence indicates that RFA can induce the expression of HSP70 which possesses properties that enable it to influence a variety of immunological processes. Tumor-derived HSP70 is regarded as a potent adjuvant facilitating presentation of tumor antigens and induction of anti-tumor immunity. CONCLUSIONS: This review addresses the potential association of RFA, HSP70, and anti-tumor immunity in treatment of hepatic and pancreatic cancers. To establish direct evidence of a potential association of RFA, HSP70, and anti-tumor immunity in hepatic and pancreatic cancers, further investigations should be conducted.

Gastric cancer-derived heat shock protein-gp96 peptide complex enhances dendritic cell activation

AIM To investigate the role of heat shock protein (HSP)glycoprotein (gp) 96 in dendritic cells (DCs) and lymphocytes induction in gastric cancer (GC). METHODS Human GC cell lines KATOIII, MKN-28 and SGC-7901 were infected with adenovirus gp96 at a multiplicity of infection of 100. gp96-GC antigen peptide complexes were purified. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to determine allo-reactive T cell stimulation, natural killer (NK) cell activity and expression of cytokines (such as interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha), respectively. Effect of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) on DCs incubated with HSP-gp96 was also evaluated by LDH release. All assays were performed in triplicate and the average values were reported. Comparison between groups was conducted using Student's t test. RESULTS T cells incubated with HSP-gp96 exhibited a marked increase in proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). NK cell activity after gp96-GC peptide complex treatment was significantly higher than that after antigen peptide treatment (P < 0.05). The activity of CTLs incubated with DCs from three GC cells lines was obviously higher than that stimulated by GC antigen at ratios of 50: 1, 25: 1, 10: 1, and 5: 1 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-12 (P70) and IFN-alpha markedly increased after incubation with HSP-gp96 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION HSP-gp96 promotes T cell response, enhances DC antigen presentation and induces cytokine secretion, as well. HSP-gp96 has potential as immunotherapy for elimination of residual GC cells.

Establishment of Nasal Tolerance to Heat Shock Protein-60 Alleviates Atherosclerosis by Inducing TGF-β-dependent Regulatory T Cells

Mounting evidence supports that a newly identified regulatory T cell (Treg),CD4+LAP+ Treg,is associated with oral tolerance induction and following inhibition of atherosclerosis,but little is described about whether nasal tolerance to antigen likewise induces the novel Tregs production and the relevant antiatherosclerotic benefit.We investigated the effect of nasal administration of heat shock protein-60 (HSP60) on atherogenesis.HSP60 or phosphate buffer solution (PBS) was nasally adminis-tered to six-week-old male ApoE-/-mice.At the 10th week after the nasal administration,there was a significant decrease in atherosclerotic plaque areas of aortic roots in the HSP60-treated mice as com-pared with those in the PBS-treated mice.Atherosclerosis suppression was accompanied with a signifi-cant increase in CD4+LAP+ and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs and a concurrently increased production of TGF-β in the HSP60-treated mice.The protective effect of HSP60 was offset by injection of anti-TGF-βantibody.It is concluded that nasal administration of HSP60 can inhibit atherosclerotic formation through immune tolerance which is established by Tregs depending on the induction of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β.Immune tolerance induced by nasal administration of HSP60 may provide an alternative therapeutic method for atherosclerosis.