Journal Article

Extracellular HSPs: The Potential Target for Human Disease Therapy

Ji-Xin Tang, Shan Liang, Shou-Long Deng, Yi-Xun Liu, Dong-Yi Li, Jun-Hao Wen

2022

Overview

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are highly conserved stress proteins known as molecular chaperones, which are considered to be cytoplasmic proteins with functions restricted to the intracellular compartment, such as the cytoplasm or cellular organelles. However, an increasing number of observations have shown that HSPs can also be released into the extracellular matrix and can play important roles in the modulation of inflammation and immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated that extracellular HSPs (eHSPs) were involved in many human diseases, such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and kidney diseases, which are all diseases that are closely linked to inflammation and immunity. In this review, we describe the types of eHSPs, discuss the mechanisms of eHSPs secretion, and then highlight their functions in the modulation of inflammation and immune responses. Finally, we take cancer as an example and discuss the possibility of targeting eHSPs for human disease therapy. A broader understanding of the function of eHSPs in development and progression of human disease is essential for developing new strategies to treat many human diseases that are critically related to inflammation and immunity.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Cytokines / Dendritic cells / exosomes / Exports / extracellular HSPs / Heat shock proteins / Heat-Shock Proteins - metabolism / Homeostasis / Humans / Immune response / immune responses / Immune system / Inflammation / Inflammation - drug therapy / Kidney Diseases / Kidney Diseases - drug therapy / molecular chaperones / Molecular Chaperones - physiology / Neoplasms / Neoplasms - drug therapy / Neoplasms - metabolism / Organic chemistry / Peptides / QD241-441 / Review / Roles / Signal transduction / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF