INTESTINAL EXPRESSION OF HUMAN HEAT-SHOCK-PROTEIN-90 IN PATIENTS WITHCROHNS-DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

Heat shock proteins are induced by several stress factors and are pote ntial antigens in autoimmune disorders. Expression of heat shock prote in 90 (HSP 90) was investigated in patients with inflammatory bowel di sease and normal controls. We combined western blot analysis with lase r densitometry for quantitation. Localization of HSP 90 was investigat ed by immunohistochemistry. Western blots showed a significant mucosal expression of HSP 90, which was comparable in patients and controls. There was also no difference between normal and inflamed mucosa in inf lammatory bowel disease, In immunohistochemical staining studies, HSP 90 was detected in epithelial cells, mononuclear cells, giant cells, n erve cells, and endothelial cells of small vessels. There was no diffe rence in the intensity of staining or localization in patients with in flammatory bowel disease compared to controls. These findings render a potential protective or immunogenic function of HSP 90 in inflammator y bowel disease unlikely.