Hsp70 expression in monocytes from patients with peripheral arterial disease and healthy controls: monocyte Hsp70 in PAD.

Background Heat shock proteins (HSP) are induced during cellular stress. Their role is to chaperone cellular proteins giving protection from denaturation and ultimately preventing cell death. Monocytes are key cells involved in atherosclerosis and are highly responsive to HSP induction. Therefore, we wished to examine monocyte Hsp70 expression and induction in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and in healthy controls.