CELL STRESS AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE HEAT-SHOCK RESPONSE IN SKIN

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs), or so-called 'stress proteins' may play an important role in cutaneous pathophysiology. HSPs are a group of high ly conserved molecules that are expressed by all cells when subjected to heat or other forms of physical or chemical stress. The physiologic al roles of stress proteins are varied and are important in stress and nonstress conditions. They bind to other cellular proteins and partic ipate in protein folding pathways during stress and also during the sy nthesis of new polypeptides. HSPs are also essential for thermotoleran ce and for prevention and repair of damage caused in DNA after ultravi olet exposure. Although HSPs are expressed in the skin in both epiderm is and dermis, HSPs may influence many other cellular processes in the inflammatory and immune skin response. Many authors have speculated o n a link between HSPs and human skin disease characterized by inflamma tion and proliferation.