EFFECT OF COMBINED HEAT, OZONATION AND ULTRAVIOLET-IRRADIATION (VASOCARE(TM)) ON HEAT-SHOCK-PROTEIN EXPRESSION BY PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LEUKOCYTE POPULATIONS

The re-administration of whole blood subjected to heat, ozonation and ultraviolet irradiation (VasoCare(TM) therapy) has been shown to elici t clinical benefits in individuals with vascular disease. Given that t hese stressors induce heat shock protein (Hsp) expression and that hea t shock protein reactivity is implicated in the pathogenesis of vascul ar disease, this study assessed the effect of VasoCare(TM) on intracel lular expression of Hsp60 and Hsp70 by treated peripheral blood leukoc ytes. Contrary to expectations, VasoCare(TM) induced a significant red uction (similar to 40%) in the proportion of peripheral blood mononucl ear cells expressing intracellular Hsp60 and Hsp70, whereas it had no effect on heat shock protein expression by peripheral blood neurophils . Cell surface heat shock protein expression was not detectable. The r educed expression of Hsp60 by mononuclear cells was concomitant with a n increase in the levels of Hsp60 in treated plasma. Although the mech anism underlying the clinical effectiveness of VasoCare(TM) therapy ha s yet to be established it may be that re-administration of treated bl ood or soluble factors derived therefrom modifies in vivo immune respo nsiveness to heat shock proteins or associated molecules.