Heat Shock Proteins in Neural Signaling: Implications in Health and Disease

Much of the recent work has given insights into the non-canonical roles of heat shock proteins, strongly indicating a potential avenue for exploring the contribution of these proteins towards the normal physiology as well as various pathological conditions apart from hyperthermia-related stress. In this chapter, the role of intracellular as well as extracellular heat shock proteins in regulating various cellular signalling pathways has been discussed, with an emphasis on the biochemical and functional aspects of signalling in the central nervous system throughout various developmental stages. Further, their influence in regulating various pathological pathways including apoptosis and immune responses has been highlighted concerning different acute and chronic neurological disorders. Finally, the possibility of heat shock proteins as potential neuroprotective targets and the clinical relevance of their intracellular as well as extracellular forms has been explored.