The role of heat shock proteins in protection and pathophysiology of the arterial wall.

The arterial wall is an integrated functional component of the circulatory system that is continually remodelling in response to various stressors, including localized injury, toxins, smoking and hypercholesterolaemia. These stimuli directly or indirectly cause changes in blood pressure and damage to the vessel wall, and eventually induce arterial stiffness and obstruction. To maintain the homeostasis of the vessel wall, the vascular cells produce a high level of stress proteins, also known as heat shock proteins, which protect against damage during haemodynamic stress. However, an immune reaction to heat shock proteins might contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that the induction of heat shock proteins is beneficial in the arterial wall's response to stress but is harmful in certain other circumstances.