Heat shock protein 70 is secreted from endothelial cells by a non-classical pathway involving exosomes

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Sep 18;387(2):229-33. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.06.095. Epub 2009 Jun 23.

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that a high level of circulating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) correlates with a lower risk of vascular disease; however, the biological significance of this inverse relationship has not been explored. Herein, we report that oxidative low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and homocysteine (Hcy) induce HSP70 release from endothelial cells. In rat endothelial cells, Ox-LDL and Hcy induced robust release of HSP70, independent of the classical route of endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi protein trafficking or the formation of lipid rafts. In contrast, Ox-LDL and Hcy significantly enhanced the exosomal secretory rate and increased the HSP70 content of exosomes. Exogenous HSP70 had no impact on LPS-, Ox-LDL- and Hcy-induced activation of endothelial cells, whereas HSP70 did activate monocytes alone, resulting in monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. These results indicate that exosome-dependent secretion of HSP70 from endothelial cells provides a novel paracrine mechanism to regulate vascular endothelial functional integrity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cumulus Cells
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / ultrastructure
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Microdomains / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins