Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients.

Background and Objectives: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are stress proteins. The endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) is a mediator of endothelial dysfunction. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus causes endothelial dysfunction and coagulopathy through severe inflammation and oxidative stress. Using these markers, we analyzed the prognostic value of serum ADMA and HSP-90 levels for early prediction of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 COVID-19 patients and 35 healthy control subjects were included in this case-control study. COVID-19 patients were divided into two groups: mild and severe. Results: Serum ADMA and HSP-90 levels were significantly higher in the COVID-19 patients compared to the control subjects (p < 0.001). Additionally, serum ADMA and HSP-90 levels were determined to be higher in a statistically significant way in severe COVID-19 compared to mild COVID-19 (p < 0.001). Univariable logistic regression analysis revealed that ADMA and HSP-90, respectively, were independent predictors of severe disease in COVID-19 patients (ADMA (OR = 1.099, 95% CI = 1.048-1.152, p < 0.001) and HSP-90 (OR = 5.296, 95% CI = 1.719-16.316, p = 0.004)). When the cut-off value for ADMA was determined as 208.94 for the prediction of the severity of COVID-19 patients, the sensitivity was 72.9% and the specificity was 100% (AUC = 0.938, 95%CI = 0.858-0.981, p < 0.001). When the cut-off value for HSP-90 was determined as 12.68 for the prediction of the severity of COVID-19 patients, the sensitivity was 88.1% and the specificity was 100% (AUC = 0.975, 95% CI= 0.910-0.997, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased levels of Heat shock proteins-90 (HSP-90) and ADMA were positively correlated with increased endothelial damage in COVID-19 patients, suggesting that treatments focused on preventing and improving endothelial dysfunction could significantly improve the outcomes and reduce the mortality rate of COVID-19. ADMA and HSP-90 might be simple, useful, and prognostic biomarkers that can be utilized to predict patients who are at high risk of severe disease due to COVID-19.

Hsp90 is a potential risk factor for ovarian cancer prognosis: an evidence of a Chinese clinical center.

BACKGROUND: The potential treatment effects of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitors in ovarian cancer (OC) are controversial. This research aims to investigate the relationship between the level of Hsp90 in peripheral blood and the prognosis of OC patients, as well as the clinicopathological indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinicopathological indicators of OC patients who were admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from 2017 to 2022. Hsp90 level in patient blood was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the correlation between Hsp90 level and OC prognosis was systematically investigated. Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and the average survival time and survival rate were calculated. The log-rank test and Cox model were used for univariate survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was applied for multivariate survival analysis. Based on the TCGA dataset of OC obtained by cBioPortal, Pearson's correlation coefficients between Hsp90 level values and other mRNA expression values were calculated to further conduct bioinformatics analysis. GSEA and GSVA analysis were also conducted for gene functional enrichment. The expression of Hsp90 in OC tissues were evaluated and compared by Immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: According to the established screening criteria, 106 patients were selected. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that 50.94% OC patients with abnormal Hsp90 level. According to the outcome of Kaplan-Meier curves, the results revealed that the abnormal level of Hsp90 was suggested to poor prognosis (P = 0.001) of OC patients. Furthermore, the result of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis also predicted that abnormal Hsp90 level (HR = 2.838, 95%CI = 1.139-7.069, P = 0.025) was linked to poor prognosis, which could be an independent prognostic factor for the prognosis of OC patients. Moreover, top 100 genes screened by Pearson's value associated with Hsp90, indicating that Hsp90 participated in the regulation of ATF5 target genes, PRAGC1A target genes and BANP target genes and also enriched in the metabolic processes of cell response to DNA damage stimulus, response to heat and protein folding. CONCLUSION: Hsp90 level is positively associated with OC mortality and is a potential prognostic indicator of OC.

Hsp90 as a Myokine: Its Association with Systemic Inflammation after Exercise Interventions in Patients with Myositis and Healthy Subjects.

Compelling evidence supports the health benefits of physical exercise on the immune system, possibly through the molecules secreted by the skeletal muscles known as myokines. Herein, we assessed the impact of exercise interventions on plasma Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) levels in 27 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) compared with 23 IIM patients treated with standard-of-care immunosuppressive therapy only, and in 18 healthy subjects undergoing strenuous eccentric exercise, and their associations with the traditional serum markers of muscle damage and inflammation. In contrast to IIM patients treated with pharmacotherapy only, in whom we demonstrated a significant decrease in Hsp90 over 24 weeks, the 24-week exercise program resulted in a stabilization of Hsp90 levels. These changes in Hsp90 levels were associated with changes in several inflammatory cytokines/chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of IIM or muscle regeneration in general. Strenuous eccentric exercise in healthy volunteers induced a brief increase in Hsp90 levels with a subsequent return to baseline levels at 14 days after the exercise, with less pronounced correlations to systemic inflammation. In this study, we identified Hsp90 as a potential myokine and mediator for exercise-induced immune response and as a potential biomarker predicting improvement after physiotherapy in muscle endurance in IIM.

Hsp90 Levels in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies and Their Association With Muscle Involvement and Disease Activity: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study.

Background: Heat shock proteins (Hsp) are chaperones playing essential roles in skeletal muscle physiology, adaptation to exercise or stress, and activation of inflammatory cells. We aimed to assess Hsp90 in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and its association with IIM-related features. Methods: Hsp90 plasma levels were analyzed in a cross-sectional cohort (277 IIM patients and 157 healthy controls [HC]) and two longitudinal cohorts to assess the effect of standard-of-care pharmacotherapy (n=39 in early disease and n=23 in established disease). Hsp90 and selected cytokines/chemokines were measured by commercially available ELISA and human Cytokine 27-plex Assay. Results: Hsp90 plasma levels were increased in IIM patients compared to HC (median [IQR]: 20.2 [14.3-40.1] vs 9.8 [7.5-13.8] ng/mL, p<0.0001). Elevated Hsp90 was found in IIM patients with pulmonary, cardiac, esophageal, and skeletal muscle involvement, with higher disease activity or damage, and with elevated muscle enzymes and crucial cytokines/chemokines involved in the pathogenesis of myositis (p<0.05 for all). Plasma Hsp90 decreased upon pharmacological treatment in both patients with early and established disease. Notably, Hsp90 plasma levels were slightly superior to traditional biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein and creatine kinase, in differentiating IIM from HC, and IIM patients with cardiac involvement and interstitial lung disease from those without these manifestations. Conclusions: Hsp90 is increased systemically in patients with IIM. Plasma Hsp90 could become an attractive soluble biomarker of disease activity and damage and a potential predictor of treatment response in IIM.

Predictive Modeling of MAFLD Based on Hsp90α and the Therapeutic Application of Teprenone in a Diet-Induced Mouse Model.

Background and Aims: The heat shock protein (Hsp) 90α is induced by stress and regulates inflammation through multiple pathways. Elevated serum Hsp90α had been found in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Geranylgeranylacetone (GGA, also called teprenone) is a terpenoid derivative. It was reported to induce Hsp and alleviate insulin resistance. We aimed to evaluate the Hsp90α as a biomarker in predicting metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and define the therapeutic effects of geranylgeranylacetone for the disease. Methods: A clinical study was conducted to analyze the elements associated with Hsp90α, and a predictive model of MAFLD was developed based on Hsp90α. The histopathological correlation between Hsp90α and MAFLD was investigated through a diet-induced mouse model. Furthermore, GGA was applied to the mouse model. Results: Serum Hsp90α was increased in patients with MAFLD. A positive linear relationship was found between age, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), MAFLD, and serum Hsp90α. Meanwhile, a negative linear relationship with body mass index (BMI) was found. A model using Hsp90α, BMI, HbA1c, and ALT was established for predicting MAFLD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was 0.94 (95% CI 0.909-0.971, p = 0.000). The sensitivity was 84.1%, and the specificity was 93.1%. In vitro experiments, GGA induced Hsp90α in steatosis cells. In the mice model, Hsp90α decreased in the GGA treatment group. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance were improved in the GGA-treated group. Serum Hsp90α was positively correlated with steatohepatitis activity according to hepatic histopathology. Conclusions: Serum Hsp90α was elevated in MAFLD, and a positive correlation between serum Hsp90α and the grade of activity of steatohepatitis was observed. The model using BMI, HbA1c, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) had a good value to predict MAFLD. The findings also revealed the effectiveness of GGA in the treatment of MAFLD.

PROGRESS STUDY: Progression of chronic kidney disease in children and heat shock proteins.

Various molecular and cellular processes are involved in renal fibrosis, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial cell injury, and apoptosis. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are implicated in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to evaluate changes in urine and serum HSP levels over time and their relationships with the clinical parameters of CKD in children. In total, 117 children with CKD and 56 healthy children were examined. The CKD group was followed up prospectively for 24 months. Serum and urine HSP27, HSP40, HSP47, HSP60, HSP70, HSP72, and HSP90 levels and serum anti-HSP60 and anti-HSP70 levels were measured by ELISA at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. The urine levels of all HSPs and the serum levels of HSP40, HSP47, HSP60, HSP70, anti-HSP60, and anti-HSP70 were higher at baseline in the CKD group than in the control group. Over the months, serum HSP47 and HSP60 levels steadily decreased, whereas HSP90 and anti-HSP60 levels steadily increased. Urine HSP levels were elevated in children with CKD; however, with the exception of HSP90, they decreased over time. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that CKD progression is a complicated process that involves HSPs, but they do not predict CKD progression. The protective role of HSPs against CKD may weaken over time, and HSP90 may have a detrimental effect on the disease course.

Circulating heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and autoantibodies to Hsp90 are increased in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory dermatoses characterized by persistent itching and recurrent eczematous lesions. While the primary events and key drivers of AD are topics of ongoing debate, cutaneous inflammation due to inappropriate IgE (auto)antibody-related immune reactions is frequently considered. Highly conserved and immunogenic heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a key intra- and extracellular chaperone, can activate the immune response driving the generation of circulating anti-Hsp90 autoantibodies that are found to be elevated in several autoimmune disorders. Here, for the first time, we observed that serum levels of Hsp90 and anti-Hsp90 IgE autoantibodies are significantly elevated (p < 0.0001) in AD patients (n = 29) when compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 70). We revealed a positive correlation (0.378, p = 0.042) between serum levels of Hsp90 and the severity of AD assessed by Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). In addition, seropositivity for anti-Hsp90 IgE has been found in 48.27% of AD patients and in 2.85% of healthy controls. Although further studies on a larger group of patients are needed to confirm presented data, our results suggest that extracellular Hsp90 and autoantibodies to Hsp90 deserve attention in the study of the mechanisms that promote the development and/or maintenance of atopic dermatitis.

Plasma Hsp90 levels in patients with systemic sclerosis and relation to lung and skin involvement: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

Our previous study demonstrated increased expression of Heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 in the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to evaluate plasma Hsp90 in SSc and characterize its association with SSc-related features. Ninety-two SSc patients and 92 age-/sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for the cross-sectional analysis. The longitudinal analysis comprised 30 patients with SSc associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) routinely treated with cyclophosphamide. Hsp90 was increased in SSc compared to healthy controls. Hsp90 correlated positively with C-reactive protein and negatively with pulmonary function tests: forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). In patients with diffuse cutaneous (dc) SSc, Hsp90 positively correlated with the modified Rodnan skin score. In SSc-ILD patients treated with cyclophosphamide, no differences in Hsp90 were found between baseline and after 1, 6, or 12 months of therapy. However, baseline Hsp90 predicts the 12-month change in DLCO. This study shows that Hsp90 plasma levels are increased in SSc patients compared to age-/sex-matched healthy controls. Elevated Hsp90 in SSc is associated with increased inflammatory activity, worse lung functions, and in dcSSc, with the extent of skin involvement. Baseline plasma Hsp90 predicts the 12-month change in DLCO in SSc-ILD patients treated with cyclophosphamide.

Plasma Heat Shock Protein 90 Alpha: A Valuable Predictor of Early Chemotherapy Effectiveness in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND Heat shock protein-90 alpha (HSP90a) is more abundant in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients than in control individuals. However, whether it can reflect chemotherapy efficacy remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the association of HSP90a with chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated data from patients admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shaoxing People's Hospital, from September 2016 to September 2018 with stage IIIB or IV NSCLC and administered 4 cycles of third-generation platinum-based combination chemotherapy (2 drugs simultaneously). Based on the RECIST1.1 criteria, complete remission (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) in 60 cases were determined before and after chemotherapy. Before chemotherapy and after 1, 2, and 4 cycles of chemotherapy, plasma HSP90alpha levels were quantitated by ELISA. Chest CT was performed before and after 2 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy. RESULTS After 1-4 cycles of chemotherapy, plasma HSP90alpha levels were significantly lower than pre-chemotherapy levels (P<0.05). The sums of the longest tumor diameters after 2 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy were decreased compared with pre-chemotherapy values (P<0.05). Plasma HSP90alpha levels and tumor size showed no significant correlation before and after chemotherapy (r=0.244, P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS Plasma HSP90alpha can be considered a valuable predictor of early chemotherapy effectiveness in advanced NSCLC, and is positively correlated with tumor remission after chemotherapy. However, plasma HSP90alpha level is not correlated with tumor diameter and pathological type.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma heat shock protein 90alpha in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The role of plasma heat shock protein 90alpha (Hsp90α) in gastric cancers remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma Hsp90α in gastric cancer. METHODS: Data regarding 976 gastric cancer, 50 gastric inflammatory diseases, and 100 healthy controls were collected. Plasma Hsp90α levels in gastric cancer were compared to those in controls. Its correlation with tumor biomarkers and immune cells was examined. The association of plasma Hsp90α with clinical features and the diagnostic and prognostic value in gastric cancer were also determined. RESULTS: Plasma Hsp90α levels were remarkably increased in gastric cancer, compared to those in gastric inflammatory diseases and healthy controls. Moreover, plasma Hsp90α was correlated with CEA, CA125, CA153, CA199, T cells, Th/Ts ratio, and B cells. Plasma Hsp90α was also associated with the metastasis stage. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that Hsp90α, B cells, and T cells were significantly associated with gastric cancer. Plasma Hsp90α has a moderate diagnostic value, which increased when combined with B cell, T cells. Finally, plasma Hsp90α was not associated with the survival of gastric cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Plasma Hsp90α was elevated in gastric cancer and correlated with tumor biomarkers and immune cells. Plasma Hsp90α was associated with the metastasis stage and had moderate diagnostic performance but little prognostic value in gastric cancer.

Celastrol augments sensitivity of NLRP3 to CP-456773 by modulating HSP-90 and inducing autophagy in dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis in rats.

NLRP3, one of the HSP-90 clients, has been defined as a critical component of IBD. In a rat model of DSS-induced colitis, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of the combined therapy with CP-456773 (CP), an NLRP3 inhibitor, and celastrol (CSR), an NF-κB inhibitor. Our results revealed that the CSR/CP combined therapy (CCCT) attenuated colon shortening, DAI and MDI in addition to improvement of the colonic histological picture. Moreover, the CCCT increased the antioxidant defense machinery of the colonic tissue and decreased MPO activity. Furthermore, the inflammation markers such as TNF-α and IL-6 were downregulated. These effects might be attributed to the inhibitory effect of CSR on the priming step of the NLRP3 inflammasome activation by interrupting NF-κB signalling and inhibition of HSP-90 (at the protein and mRNA levels) along with inhibitory effect of CP on the expression of the NLRP3. These latter effects resulted in decreased tissue expression and activity of the caspase-1 and repressing the subsequent release of the active forms of IL-1ß and IL-18, hence, the pyroptosis process is restrained. Additionally, the CCCT resulted in inducing autophagy by AMPK/mTOR-dependent mechanisms leading to the accumulation of BECN1 protein and a significant decrease in the levels of p62 SQSTM1. The inhibitory effect on HSP-90 in conjunction with induction of autophagy suggest increased autophagic degradation of NLRP3. This novel approach provides a basis for the clinical application of this combination in IBD treatment and might also be promising for the pharmacological intervention of other NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent inflammatory conditions.

Heat shock protein 90 alpha and 14-3-3η in postmenopausal osteoporotic rats with varying levels of serum FSH.

PURPOSE: This study compared the severity of osteoporosis and screened differentially expressed proteins in postmenopausal osteoporotic rats with varying levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). METHODS: Thirty-six Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into four groups: sham operation (sham) group, ovariectomy (OVX) group, FSH and ovariectomy (OVX + FSH) group, and Leuprorelin (LE) and ovariectomy group (OVX + LE). Body weight, serum estradiol, FSH, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and bone mineral density were measured. We randomly selected six rats each from the OVX and OVX + FSH groups to detect differentially expressed proteins by data-independent acquisition, and we verified the results in the remaining six rats by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Nineteen proteins were upregulated and 36 proteins were downregulated in the OVX + FSH group. The expression of heat shock protein 90 alpha (Hsp90α) and 14-3-3η protein was significantly different between the OVX and OVX + FSH groups, and both were linearly correlated with bone trabecular area. Results were verified by ELISA and were found to be consistent with the results of data-independent acquisition. DISCUSSION: In rats with high serum FSH, expression of Hsp90α protein was increased and expression of 14-3-3η protein was decreased. Both changes in protein expression were strongly correlated with bone trabecular area.

Heat shock protein 90 and NFkB levels in serum and urine in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

Heat shock proteins play an important role in immune inflammation and the formation and restoration of proteins. In recent years, the importance of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) in the activation of immune inflammation through nuclear factor kB (NFkB) has been discussed. To assess the activation of the Hsp90-NFkB system by measuring serum and urinary levels in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). This study included 32 patients with active forms of CGN and 14 patients with Fabry nephropathy. The control group included 10 healthy individuals. Twenty-one out of 32 CGN patients had nephrotic syndrome (NS). Eleven out of 32 CGN patients had proteinuria levels from 1 to 3 g/day without nephrotic syndrome. A total of 17 patients had renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73m2). Fourteen patients with Fabry nephropathy had proteinuria without nephrotic syndrome. Serum and urine HSP-90 and NFkB p65 levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of HSP-90 and NFkB in the serum of patients with CGN were significantly higher than in healthy individuals and patients with Fabry nephropathy. In patients with Fabry nephropathy, the HSP-90 and NFkB levels in the urine and serum did not significantly differ from those in the control subjects. Serum Hsp90 levels were significantly higher in the CGN patients with NS than in patients without NS, as well as in patients with normal renal function compared with patients with an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and patients with tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. Higher levels of HSP-90 and NFkB in serum were observed in patients with nephrotic forms of CGN, including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease and membranous nephropathy. There were no correlations between the clinical signs of CGN and urinary HSP90/NFkB levels. Activation of the HSP-90-NFkB system, which is directly involved in the development of immune inflammation in CGN, was found in patients with an active course of CGN, especially in those with nephrotic syndrome.

Proteomic Analysis of Human Serum from Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health problem in the world. The aim of our research was to identify novel potential serum biomarkers of renal injury. ELISA assay showed that cytokines and chemokines IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, Eotaxin, FGFb, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, PDGF-1bb, RANTES, TNF-α and VEGF were significantly higher (R > 0.6, p value < 0.05) in the serum of patients with CKD compared to healthy subjects, and they were positively correlated with well-established markers (urea and creatinine). The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) quantification method revealed that levels of HSP90B2, AAT, IGSF22, CUL5, PKCE, APOA4, APOE, APOA1, CCDC171, CCDC43, VIL1, Antigen KI-67, NKRF, APPBP2, CAPRI and most complement system proteins were increased in serum of CKD patients compared to the healthy group. Among complement system proteins, the C8G subunit was significantly decreased three-fold in patients with CKD. However, only AAT and HSP90B2 were positively correlated with well-established markers and, therefore, could be proposed as potential biomarkers for CKD.

Diagnostic value of plasma HSP90α levels for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health problem worldwide. However, the popular tumor marker, AFP, lacks sensitivity although its specificity is high. Tissue biopsy is an invasive operation and may increase the risk of needle-track metastases. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a potential biomarker for tumor diagnosis and prognosis. This study aims to determine whether levels of plasma HSP90α in HCC patients can be used as a cost-effective and simple test for the initial diagnosis of the disease. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from 659 HCC patients, 114 secondary hepatic carcinoma (SHC) patients, 28 hepatic hemangioma patients and 230 healthy donors. The levels of HSP90α were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The levels of plasma HSP90α in HCC patients were significantly higher than in healthy donors and in patients with hepatic hemangioma or SHC (144.08 ± 4.98, 46.81 ± 1.11, 61.56 ± 8.20 and 111.96 ± 10.08 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.05 in all cases). The levels were associated with age (p = 0.001), BCLC stage (p < 0.001), levels of AFP (p < 0.001), tumor size (p < 0.001), tumor number (p < 0.001), PVTT (p < 0.001), EHM (p < 0.001) and Child-Pugh stage in the HCC cohort. In addition, the levels of plasma HSP90α showed an upward trend along with the progression of the BCLC stage. ROC curve analysis showed that compared to AFP (AUC 0.922, 95%CI 0.902-0.938) or HSP90α (AUC 0.836, 95%CI 0.810-0.860), the combination of HSP90α and AFP (AUC0.943, 95%CI 0.925-0.957) significantly improved the diagnostic efficiency for HCC patients. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that plasma Hsp90 α levels can be used as an initial diagnosis for patients with HCC in both rural and cosmopolitan settings.

Clinical significance of heat shock protein 90α expression as a biomarker of prognosis in patients with gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) possesses two major isoforms - HSP90α and HSP90ß. They have essential roles in the protection against stressful conditions. They are also important for the re-establishment of cellular homeostasis. We investigated the clinical significance of HSP90α and HSP90ß expression in patients with gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: HSP90α and HSP90ß expression levels were examined immunohistochemically in surgical specimens obtained from 186 GC patients. The correlations between their expression levels and clinicopathological parameters including patient survival were analyzed. RESULTS: The frequencies of larger tumor size (maximum diameter ≥4 cm) and more prominent tumor invasion (≥pT3) in the high intensity HSP90α expression group were 73.4% and 68.8% higher, respectively, than those in the low intensity group (both P = 0.001). High HSP90α expression level was also significantly associated with lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis, and advanced stage (TNM stage ≥III) disease (P = 0.047, P = 0.046, and P = 0.004, respectively). Patients with high HSP90α expression levels demonstrated significantly worse survival than those with low HSP90α expression levels (P = 0.047). In contrast, survival did not differ significantly according to the intensity of HSP90ß expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that HSP90α overexpression might be associated with disease progression and poorer survival in patients with GC. Therefore, HSP90α could be used as possible biomarker for the prognosis of GC.

Circulating Hsp90 Isoform Levels in Overweight and Obese Children and the Relation to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity prevalence is increasing in children. It is associated with various comorbidities including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hsp90 isoforms were identified in previous proteomic studies as potential biomarkers for NAFLD. The aim of the study was to analyze circulating levels of Hsp90α and Hsp90ß in overweight and obese children. In addition, Hsp90α and Hsp90ß were evaluated as biomarkers for NAFLD in overweight and obese children. METHODS: 68 overweight and obese children and ten age- and gender-matched controls were recruited. Hsp90α and Hsp90ß levels were analyzed from serum in both controls and overweight and obese children by ELISA. RESULTS: Serum Hsp90ß and total Hsp90 levels were statistically significantly higher in overweight and obese children compared to controls. On the contrary, there was no difference in Hsp90α levels between overweight and obese children and healthy controls. Hsp90 isoforms had different expression in NAFLD patients. Hsp90ß levels were higher in overweight and obese NAFLD patients while Hsp90α levels were lower. Hsp90α to Hsp90ß ratio had better accuracy for NAFLD diagnosis in obese and overweight patients compared to individual biomarkers. CONCLUSION: Hsp90 isoforms were confirmed on an independent cohort as biomarkers for NAFLD in overweight and obese children. In these patients, it seems to be more useful to separately analyze Hsp90 isoforms rather than total Hsp90 as the isoforms have greater discriminative capacity.

Levosimendan in septic shock in patients with biochemical evidence of cardiac dysfunction: a subgroup analysis of the LeoPARDS randomised trial.

PURPOSE: Myocardial dysfunction is common in sepsis but optimal treatment strategies are unclear. The inodilator, levosimendan was suggested as a possible therapy; however, the levosimendan to prevent acute organ dysfunction in Sepsis (LeoPARDS) trial found it to have no benefit in reducing organ dysfunction in septic shock. In this study we evaluated the effects of levosimendan in patients with and without biochemical cardiac dysfunction and examined its non-inotropic effects. METHODS: Two cardiac biomarkers, troponin I (cTnI) and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and five inflammatory mediators were measured in plasma from patients recruited to the LeoPARDS trial at baseline and over the first 6 days. Mean total Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and 28-day mortality were compared between patients with normal and raised cTnI and NT-proBNP values, and between patients above and below median values. RESULTS: Levosimendan produced no benefit in SOFA score or 28-day mortality in patients with cardiac dysfunction. There was a statistically significant treatment by subgroup interaction (p = 0.04) in patients with NT-proBNP above or below the median value. Those with NT-proBNP values above the median receiving levosimendan had higher SOFA scores than those receiving placebo (mean daily total SOFA score 7.64 (4.41) vs 6.09 (3.88), mean difference 1.55, 95% CI 0.43-2.68). Levosimendan had no effect on the rate of decline of inflammatory biomarkers. CONCLUSION: Adding levosimendan to standard care in septic shock was not associated with less severe organ dysfunction nor lower mortality in patients with biochemical evidence of cardiac dysfunction.