Heat Shock Proteins Hsp70 and Hsp27 and Neural Cellular Protection

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are expressed throughout the body. In the brain, the 27,kDa Hsp, Hsp27, and the 71–72,kDa Hsp, Hsp70, are expressed and can be protective against many stressors. Following cellular stress and injury including inflammation, ischemia, and seizures, Hsp27 and Hsp70 are induced to high levels and can protect cells from further injury and death. Hsps are also protective against neurodegenerative disorders. Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease with dementia are characterized by protein aggregations and elevated levels of Hsp27 and Hsp70 are thought to protect neurons from the cytotoxic effects of protein aggregates. Hsp27 and Hsp70 protect cells from the damaging effects of stressors by interrupting apoptotic and cell death pathways, decreasing inflammation, slowing and decreasing protein aggregation, decreasing oxidative damage, and maintaining cell homeostasis.