Heat-shock proteins in stromal joint tissues: Innocent bystanders or disease-initiating proteins?

Abstract

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones that are highly conserved between species. In recent decades it has become clear that these proteins play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases by (dys)regulating the immune system and by direct effects on the stromal tissues of the joint. In this review we discuss current insights into the expression pattern of HSPs in connective tissues, the direct biological role of HSPs in stromal tissues and the potential clinical applications. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved.