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Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important molecules required for ideal protein function. Extensive research on the functional properties of HSPs indicates that HSPs may be implicated in a wide range of physiological functions including immune function. In the immune system, HSPs are involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, cytokine release, and apoptosis. Therefore, the ability of the immune system, in particular immune cells, to function optimally and in unison with other physiological systems is in part dependent on signaling transduction processes, including bidirectional communication with HSPs. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important T cells with suppressive functions and impairments in their function have been associated with a number of autoimmune disorders. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between HSPs and Tregs. The interrelationship between cells and proteins may be important in cellular functions necessary for cell survival and expansion during diseased state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the oral mucosa that represents T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. The regulation and roles of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cellular adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), a novel immune molecule, in the immunopathogenesis of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases remain unclear. In the current paper, CEACAM1 was found to be overexpressed in peripheral T cells and epithelial cells in oral lichen planus patients. A fraction of infiltrating inflammatory mononuclear cells in the lamina propria of the oral lichen planus mucosa also expressed CEACAM1. Importantly, for the first time, CEACAM1 expression in T cells and in normal human oral keratinocytes was demonstrated to be regulated differently by osteopontin in vitro. Furthermore, the apoptosis of oral keratinocytes and activated T cells can be markedly suppressed by CEACAM1-specific monoclonal antibodies. In conclusion, OPN-regulated CEACAM1 expression may play a critical role in the immunopathogenesis of oral lichen planus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired organ-specific autoimmune hemorrhagic disease and dysfunctional cellular immunity is considered important in the pathophysiology of ITP, however, polarization and apoptosis profiles of T lymphocytes remain unclear completely. In this paper, we investigated the polarization of T cell subsets, the expressions of apoptotic proteins Fas/FasL on T cell subsets and the level of antiapoptotic gene bcl-2 and bax mRNA in the bcl-2 family, then discussed the role of them in ITP pathogenesis. We demonstrated that the ratios of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 in ITP children increased obviously, the average percentages of Th1 and Th2 also increased clearly, but the average percentages of Tc1 and Tc2 did not changed. In ITP children, the expressions of Fas, FasL on Th, Th1, Th2, Tc, Tc1 and Tc2 increased significantly. The expressions of FasL on Th1 and Tc1 increased sharply vs. Fas, whereas the expressions of Fas on Th2 and Tc2 increased obviously vs. FasL. The expressions of bcl-2 mRNA in ITP children increased significantly, but the expressions of bax mRNA decreased, the ratios of bcl-2/bax mRNA were improved obviously and there were positive correlation between the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IFN- γ+T/IL-4+T) and the ratios of bcl-2/bax mRNA. Taken together, our findings indicate that ITP is Th1 type cell predominant disease although the precise mechanisms await further functional assay. This abnormal polarization of T cell subsets might be related to the high ratios of bcl-2/bax mRNA and the abnormal expressions of Fas, FasL on T cell subsets, as can involve in ITP immunopathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]