Biomedical Applications of Heat Shock Proteins

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) constitute a heterogeneous group of molecules which are phylogenetically conserved and initially known for their role in proper folding of nascent or misfolded proteins. Their expression is increased due to different stresses. Initially discovered due to heat stress, HSPs came beyond their role as molecular chaperones. Now there is evidence that HSPs perform functions more than what they were believed to earlier. There are reports that show that HSPs are actively involved in cell signaling and act as anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory agents in normal and in different ailments. Normally, HSPs are found inside the cell but they are also found secreted into the extracellular milieu and displayed onto the cell surface to represent different cellular conditions. While present on the cell surface they also carry processed peptides of the respective cell. Their solubility nature evokes most of the immune modulatory effects on different cell types. This versatile nature of HSPs can be employed for different biomedical applications. HSPs, both as diagnostic markers as well as drug targets in the field of autoimmune diseases, different cancers, are discussed here. Few non-biomedical but commercially important applications are also discussed in brief.