Heat shock proteins in pathology: A review

Heat shock proteins of the 70 kDa family (HSPAs/HSP70s) are major molecular chaperones and cytokines of most cells and microbes, extracellular and interstitial fluids, blood, synovial fluids and secretory body fluids like saliva. The induction of human HSPAs plays an important role at cellular level under most stress conditions. HSPAs play a role in numerous physiological and pathological events, including modulation of cytokine release and immunity. Despite their advantageous effects maintaining health of several oral tissues, HSPAs are likely to play a role in the progression of pathological conditions like OLP, OSMF and Carcinogenesis. The review attempts to provide a critical overview of Hsps and their divergent roles in cellular processes particularly in the context of human health and disease.