Expression of Heat Shock Protein 27 in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques and Increased Plasma Level of Heat Shock Protein 27 in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

In the atherosclerotic lesion, Hsp27 expression is increased in the normal-appearing vessel adjacent to atherosclerotic plaque, whereas levels in the plaque itself are significantly decreased. Both plaque and adjacent artery show decreased Hsp27 phosphorylation compared with reference vessel. In ACS, plasma Hsp27 and Hsp70 are increased, and levels of Hsp27 correlate with Hsp70, C-reactive protein, and CD40L levels.