Hsp60 e imunidades: como diante de um espelho partido Hsp60 and immunities: as facing a broken mirror

The Hsp60 family includes proteins that are conserved along the evolutionary course, participating in essential cellular processes. Upregulation of these molecules in response to cellular stress and the possibility that certain inflammatory conditions can modify antigen recognition and presentation, consequently directing and amplifying the immune responses against Hsp60, sustains the participation of this proteins in chronic-degenerative processes. The high interspecific similarity suggests a possible role for Hsp60 in autoimmune process by molecular mimicry. The degree of homology between mammalian and bacterial Hsp60 and reports about the participation of these molecules in chronic-degenerative processes are presented here. Therefore, Hsp proteins function as signaling molecules to adversities and maintaining homeostasis, and play an important role in regulation as well as in initiation and progression of chronic-inflammatory processes including autoimmunities.