ABSTRACT
This study was designed to investigate the possible role of heat shock proteins [Hsp60, Hsp90] in different autoimmune processes, and to assess the prevalence and prognostic significance of antibodies to Hsp60, Hsp90 in different groups with autoimmune diseases. One hundred and twenty children with autoimmune diseases were chosen from the pediatric, rheumatology, and medicine clinics of EI-Minia University hospital. They were designated as five groups. The sixth group included 20 apparently healthy children were taken as a control. IgG, IgM to Hsp 60 KDa [Kilo Dalton] and Hsp 90 KDa were determined using an ELISA with purified bovine Hsp60 KDa or Hsp 90 KDa. There was an increased titers of anti Hsp60 and anti- Hsp 90 [IgG and IgM] in patients with autoimmune diseases [Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis JRA, Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis SLE, Mixed connective tissue diseases MCTD, and Diabetic group DM] serum samples compared with serum samples from healthy controls [p<0.001] for each of them. Also concentrations of IgM to Hsp 60, 90 were less frequent in recent onset JRA when compared with long standing JRA, while the concentration of IgG to Hsp 60, and Hsp 90 were less frequent in long standing JRA when compared with recent onset JRA. The highest concentration of Hsp 60, Hsp 90 IgGs were in patients with MCTD group [59.36 +/- 5.2] and [68.9 +/- 2.6] and lowest values were present in diabetic group [20.24 +/- 4.72] and [20.46 +/- 2.53] when compared with other groups with autoimmune diseases. The highest concentrations of Hsp 60, Hsp 90 IgM were present in patient with longstanding JRA [28.4 +/- 3.9 and 41.4 +/- 4.4] and lowest concentrations were present in diabetic group [6.34 +/- 0.9 and 9.84 +/- 0.57]. The type of antibodies to Hsp 60, 90 correlated with the duration of illness in patients with JRA, The highest concentration of Hsp [60,90] were present in patients with MCTD, the lowest concentration were present in DM, the high level of Hsp correlate with the type and course of illness