HEAT-SHOCK PROTEINS - APPLICATIONS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Heat shock proteins (hsps) assist the assembly, folding and translocat ion of other proteins, and apparently have a role in protecting cells against injuries and other types of stress. In addition, hsps are freq uently recognized by the immune system as predominant antigens during infections and during the progression of certain autoimmune diseases a nd, thus, might provide a novel route for the development of immunothe rapeutics. This review focuses on applications for hsps in health and disease, and discusses the pros and cons of considering them as target s for the development of therapeutics/pharmaceuticals.