Psychological stress induces heat shock protein 70 expression in rat aorta.

Psychological stress without any physical stimuli caused a rapid and marked increase in the level of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 mRNA in rat aorta, but had little effect on the other tested tissues. The maximum increase in HSP70 mRNA level in the aorta was observed at 0.5-1 hr after the stress, and then it declined. Moreover, this stress also increased the level of HSP70 protein in the aorta, but had little effect on the other tested tissues. These results indicate that exposure of rats to mild psychological stress results in the induction of HSP70, especially in the blood vessels.