Autoantibodies to Endothelial Cell Surface ATP Synthase, the Endogenous Receptor for Hsp60, Might Play a Pathogenic Role in Vasculatides

Abstract

Our results indicate that ATP synthase is targeted by AECAs on the surface of EC that induce intracellular acidification. Such pathogenic effect in vasculitides can be modulated by hsp60 binding on ATP synthase which preserves ATP synthase activity.