Serum Levels of Hsp70, a chaperon for Protecting against cellular injury, Are Evaluated in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: Association with Fibrosis and Vascular Damage

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Purpose: Ischemia reperfusion, oxidative stress, and inflammation are important factors that contribute to tissue damage in SSc. Since Hsp70 is upregulated by cellular stresses, we investigated the prevalence and clinical correlation of serum Hsp70 levels in SSc patients.Methods: Serum Hsp70 levels were examined in 49 patients with SSc by ELISA. Results: Serum Hsp70 levels were significantly elevated in SSc patients compared to normal controls (p=0.0001). Serum Hsp70 levels were elevated in 27% of total SSc patients with 30% of dSSc patients and 23% of lSSc patients. Hsp70 levels were significantly increased in SSc patients with pulmonary fibrosis (p<0.05) or phalanges contracture (p<0.05) compared with those without pulmonary fibrosis or phalanges contracture. Serum Hsp70 levels were correlated positively with mTSS (p<0.05), serum levels of MCP-1 (p<0.05), and renal vascular resistance (p=0.019). Serum Hsp70 levels were correlated positively with serum levels of 8-isoprostane (p=0.008), and CRP (p<0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that Hsp70 is a useful serological marker for evaluating cellular stresses and the disease severity in SSc.