Endothelial Cytotoxicity Mediated by Serum Antibodies to Heat Shock Proteins of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Chlamydia pneumoniae</i>

Abstract

Serum antibodies against HSP65/60 cross-react with human HSP60, cHSP60, and GroEL; correlate with the presence of antibodies to C pneumoniae and endotoxin; and mediate endothelial cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that humoral immune reactions to bacterial HSPs, such as cHSP60 and GroEL, may play an important role in the process of vascular endothelial injury, which is believed to be a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.