The heat shock response and cytoprotection of the intestinal epithelium

• Published in: Cell stress & chaperones Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 191 - 199
• Main Authors: Malago, Joshua J., Koninkx, Jos F. J G., van Dijk, Jaap E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Cell Stress Society International 01.04.2002
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Survival - physiology; Cytokines; Cytoprotection; Epithelial cells; Genes; Heat shock proteins; Heat shock response; Heat Stress Disorders - physiopathology; Heat-Shock Proteins - physiology; Humans; Hyperthermia; Inflammation - physiopathology; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa - pathology; Intestinal Mucosa - physiopathology; MAP Kinase Signaling System - physiology; Mice; Molecular chaperones; NF-kappa B - physiology; Rats; Review Articles; Review s; Shock heating; Transcriptional activation
• ISSN: 1355-8145; 1466-1268
• DOI: 10.1379/1466-1268(2002)007<0191:THSRAC>2.0.CO;2

Following heat stress, the mammalian intestinal epithelial cells respond by producing heat shock proteins that confer protection under stressful conditions, which would otherwise lead to cell damage or death. Some of the noxious processes against which the heat shock response protects cells include heat stress, infection, and inflammation. The mechanisms of heat shock response–induced cytoprotection involve inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production and induction of cellular proliferation for restitution of the damaged epithelium. This can mean selective interference of pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), that mediate cytokine production and growth responses. Insight into elucidating the exact protective mechanisms could have therapeutic significance in treating intestinal inflammations and in aiding maintenance of intestinal integrity. Herein we review findings on heat shock response–induced intestinal epithelial protection involving regulation of NF-κB and MAPK cytokine production.