Expression of Stress Proteins on the Surface of Cells of the Immune System

Localization of stress proteins on plasma membranes is of fundamental biologic and immunologic interest (reviewed in Winfield and Jarjour, 1990). For example, the detection of HSP70 as a peptide-binding protein on the surface of antigen-presenting cells implies a role for at least some members of this family of stress proteins in the recognition of MHC class II/antigen peptide complexes by T cell receptors (TCRs) (Lakey etal., 1987; Vanbuskirk etal., 1989). Furthermore, surface expression of autologous stress proteins, or stress protein epitopes, can render cells susceptible to specific immunological attack (Koga etal., 1989; Ottenhof etal., 1988). Relatively little information is available concerning which stress proteins are expressed on lymphoid cells and under what circumstances, however. In this review, recent immunologic and biochemical data from our laboratories that bear on these issues are summarized briefly.