Elevated HSP70 and HSP90 as Predictive Markers of Immune Activation and Lung Injury in SARS-COV-2 Disease

• Published in: Iranian journal of immunology Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 368 - 373
• Main Authors: Zangeneh, Zivar, Khamisipour, Gholamreza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shiraz Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research 01.09.2023; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
• Subjects: C-reactive protein; Cell activation; Cellular stress response; Computed tomography; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Creatine; Creatine kinase; Cytokine storm; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Heat shock proteins; Hsp70 protein; Hsp90 protein; Immune response; Inflammation; L-Lactate dehydrogenase; Lung diseases; pulmonary; Serum levels; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• ISSN: 1735-1383; 1735-367X; 1735-367X
• DOI: 10.22034/iji.2023.97202.2488

Background:Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are involved in innate and adaptive immune responses, especially inflammatory responses due to immune cell activation. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was one of the most important causes of death in the recent pandemic. Increased cellular stress and excessive inflammation are common in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), although the underlying mechanisms are still poorlyunderstood.Objective:To evaluate the relationship between HSP and the pathological effects of COVID-19.Methods:A group of 107 patients was categorized to two populations (mild and severe) based on their chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) results. The HSP70, HSP90 alpha, and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were measured by the automated analyzer.Results:Our data showed increased levels of HSP70 and HSP90 in patients with COVID-19. The HSPs levels were elevated in the severe group compared to the mild group. This study demonstrated a positive correlation between both elevated levels of HSP70, HSP90, and HRCT grade and also a positive correlation with CRP and CPK in the severe group.Conclusion:HSP90 and HSP70 contribute to excessive immune responses and cytokine storms. They may serve as prognostic serum markers for COVID-19 lung injury. Additionally, they arecandidates for anti-inflammatory therapy.