INCREASED ANTIBODY-TITERS AGAINST MYCOBACTERIAL HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN-65IN PATIENTS WITH VASCULITIS AND ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of highly conserved proteins th at show extensive homology at the DNA and protein level among bacteria l and mammalian species. Furthermore, bacterial HSPs induce specific c ellular and humoral immune responses in mammals. Cross-reacting antibo dies may therefore be induced in chronic infections. Recently, it has been claimed that patients with arteriosclerosis (AS) of the carotid a rteries have significantly elevated antibody titers to mycobacterial H SPs. In this study, we extended the spectrum of vascular diseases and analyzed sera from patients with systemic vasculitis and systemic lupu s erythematosus (SLE) for the presence of anti-HSP antibodies. Anti-HS P antibodies, tested in an ELISA with recombinant mycobacterial HSP 65 , were significantly elevated in patients with vasculitis (n = 56; p<0 .01) and AS (n = 29; p<0.0001), but only marginally in patients with S LE (n = 22; p>0.05) compared to healthy controls (n = 90). These findi ngs further support the concept of infection-induced immune reactions playing a pathogenic role in the development of both AS and vasculitis .