[Heat shock proteins in diabetes mellitus]

The Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) are a special category of proteins synthesized from 2 types of cells, one originating from ordinary organs and the other highly specialized ones from mammals. Their synthesis originates from a reaction of the cells to heat shock and therefore it can be thought of as a defense mechanism activated by the cells to protect themselves from the damage done by heat. HSPs are also qualified as "molecular chaperons" since they are present at the assembling of other proteins and they protect them from any possible anomalous interactions even if they do not take an active part in the final making up of the protein itself. This chaperone role is the base of the hypothesis that HSPs could take part in the processing and presentation of the antigens. Two hypothesis have been formed on the role of HSPs in the immunological process. 1) HSP could be antigens that call for an immediate immunological reaction; 2) HSP could set off a self destructive mechanism brought on by an immunological reaction. From all this it emerges that the immunological reaction to HSP has two angles. One is protective in that it allows the cells to eliminate micro foreign-organisms and the other is harmful due to a badly regulated immunological reaction. In some studies it has been demonstrated that patients with varying autoimmunological disorders as LES and rheumatoid arthritis (AR), have autoantibodies against HSPs. Moreover the HSPs of certain microorganisms induce the formation of autoantibodies in the host and the proliferation of T cells in the synovial fluid in patients with AR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)