Heat shock proteins (HSP’s) are found across all living species, from bacteria to humans. They are a family of proteins created by cells during stressful situations. They can protect the cells from situations and extreme conditions that could otherwise be lethal [ 1 ].
HSPs are also molecular chaperone proteins. Chaperone proteins regulate the folding of proteins, which is important for their specific roles. Proteins which do not fold appropriately can trigger an immune response and a host of other issues [ 3, 4 ].
Atherosclerotic plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood. Over time, the plaque hardens and as a result, narrows down the arteries. Atherosclerosis can lead to a heart attack or stroke [ 17 ].
HSP numbers increase due to protein unfolding, misfolding or aggregation, as well as an increase in the production of non-native proteins in the body.
Hsf1-deficient mice have a longer free-running period and therefore more active than wild-type mice [ 45 ].