Serum levels of free heat shock protein 70 and anti-HSP70 are elevated in Behçet's disease

Objectives. As heat shock proteins (HSPs) are described as candidate self-antigens in Behçet's disease (BD), free HSP70 and anti-HSP70 levels were measured in the sera of patients to investigate their role in the pathogenesis of BD. Methods. Free human HSP70 levels were measured in the sera of patients with BD and compared to disease controls [patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or recurrent oral ulcerations (ROU)] and healthy controls (HC) using ELISA. Anti-HSP70 antibody levels were also determined. Results. Free human HSP70 levels were significantly elevated in BD sera (1.12±0.86 ng/ml) compared to HC (0.67±0.46 ng/ml, BD vs. HC:p<0.001). However similarly elevated levels were also present in ROU (0.95±1.01 ng/ml, p<0.05) and RA (1.1±23.3 ng/ml, p<0.01). Anti-HSP70 antibody levels were also significantly higher in BD (668±658 μg/ml) compared to HC (490±742.05 μg/ml, p