Role of heat-shock proteins in the ocular immune privilege

本研究旨在探讨热休克蛋白（HSPs）在眼免疫调节中的作用。我们假设眼内液含有分泌形式的热休克蛋白，热休克蛋白作为眼浸润细胞的靶抗原，或作为免疫抑制剂。我们首先测试白内障患者的房水是否含有热休克蛋白。我们在眼房水中检测到HSP 27，而未检测到HSP 10、HSP 60或HSP 70。然后，我们将重组HSP 27与T细胞克隆（TCC）共培养，并测试HSP 27是否对TCC的增殖或细胞因子产生有影响。因此，HSP 27上调TCC产生的干扰素-γ。

The present study was aimed at investigating the role of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) in the immune regulation in the eye. We hypothesized that the intraocular fluids contain secreted form of HSPs, and that the HSPs act as antigens targeted by ocular infiltrating cells, or as immune suppressive agents. We first tested if aqueous humor from patients with cataract contain HSPs. We detected HSP27 in the aqueous humor, whereas HSP10, HSP60, or HSP70 were not detected. We then co-cultured recombinant HSP27 with T cell clones (TCCs) and tested if HSP27 has effects on the proliferation or cytokine production of TCCs. As a result, HSP27 up-regulated interferon-gamma production by TCCs.