The Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease characterized by recognition of pancreatic β-cell proteins as self-antigens, called autoantigens (AAgs), followed by loss of pancreatic β-cells. (Pre-)proinsulin ([P]PI), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), tyrosine phosphatase IA-2, and the zinc transporter ZnT8 are key molecules in T1D pathogenesis and are recognized by autoantibodies detected in routine clinical laboratory assays. However, generation of new autoantigens (neoantigens) from β-cells has also been reported, against which the autoreactive T cells show activity. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) were originally described as “cellular stress responders” for their role as chaperones that regulate the conformation and function of a large number of cellular proteins to protect the body from stress. HSPs participate in key cellular functions under both physiological and stressful conditions, including suppression of protein aggregation, assisting folding and stability of nascent and damaged proteins, translocation of proteins into cellular compartments and targeting irreversibly damaged proteins for degradation. Low HSP expression impacts many pathological conditions associated with diabetes and could play a role in diabetic complications. HSPs have beneficial effects in preventing insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes (T2D). HSPs are, however, additionally involved in antigen presentation, presenting immunogenic peptides to class I and class II major histocompatibility molecules; thus, an opportunity exists for HSPs to be employed as modulators of immunologic responses in T1D and other autoimmune disorders. In this review, we discuss the multifaceted roles of HSPs in the pathogenesis of T1D and in autoantigen-specific immune protection against T1D development.

Introduction

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is recognized as a condition of absolute, or near absolute, insulin deficiency due to autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells and can present at any age (1). Together with low or absent plasma insulin levels, patients with T1D have elevated plasma glucagon levels and any remaining β-cells are unable to respond to insulin secretory stimuli. T1D is a catabolic condition and patients are dependent upon exogenous insulin to prevent ketosis, decrease hyperglucagonemia and normalize protein and lipid metabolism.

More than 90% of individuals with newly diagnosed T1D have at least one, and frequently multiple, autoantibodies at disease onset (2). Specific autoantibodies associated with T1D are anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GADA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA), insulinoma-associated-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A), islet cell cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ICA) and zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A) (Table 1).

TABLE 1

Table 1 Autoantibodies associated with type 1 diabetes.

The pancreas organ in T1D is decreased in weight with exocrine atrophy, lymphocytic infiltration, fibrosis and a lobular pattern of pancreatic β-cell destruction which increases with disease duration (1). Insulitis, defined as immune cell infiltrates surrounding and/or infiltrating pancreatic islets, is deemed to be the histological hallmark of T1D. However, insulitis is seen relatively infrequently in islets in human disease, likely indicating the slow progression of disease over many years. Insulitis is characterized by the infiltration of islets by macrophages, T helper cells (CD4+ or Th cells), and cytotoxic T cells (CD8+), ultimately resulting in the destruction of β-cells (7). The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex, representing a substantial component of the genetic risk (~50%), plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of T1D. The major histocompatibility complex encodes the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. Auto-antigens are presented at the β-cell surface by HLA class I molecules that are then presented to T-cells by HLA class II molecules (8). The autoimmune responses in T1D lead to a chronic β-cell inflammatory state, resulting in protein misfolding, an altered redox state in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), ER stress and, ultimately, β-cell apoptosis. In response to ER stress, proteins like GRP78, insulin, and GAD65 undergo improper post-translational modifications that may represent neoantigens and which may therefore induce β-cell autoimmunity (9, 10).

Moreover, ER stress initiates a cellular adaptive mechanism where heat shock proteins (HSPs) play an important role, undergoing proteolytic modification and generating and presenting autoimmune antigens to class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In this review, we will discuss what is known about the involvement of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the pathogenesis in T1D (Table 2) and, conversely, the protective role played by some family members.

TABLE 2

Table 2 Evidence in support of the involvement of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the pathogenesis of T1D.

Metabolic Stress and Generation of Autoantigens in T1D

Human and animal studies have revealed that metabolic stress promotes protein misfolding and/or post-translational aberrations, β-cell dysfunction and, ultimately, apoptosis. It is now accepted that immune cells preferentially recognize a subset of post-translationally modified peptides and misfolded proteins from β-cells, known as neoautoantigens, that are capable of generating an autoimmune response and thus, contribute to β-cell destruction (27). The upregulation of key ER stress markers has been documented both in islets of humans with T1D and in Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice (28, 29). In response to ER stress, for example, insulin and GAD65 proteins undergo inappropriate post-translational modification and/or folding and the modified protein products are believed to act as immunogenic neoautoantigens that could be presented by the MHC to induce β-cell autoimmunity (9, 10). In support of this, mitigation of ER stress with chemical chaperones prevents the development of T1D in NOD mice (30).

Likewise, chronic inflammation may impair insulin secretion by β-cells and/or lead to the formation of neoautoantigens that may trigger islet autoimmunity (31). Furthermore, the array of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ, negatively impacts the function and survival of β-cells, and can promote β-cell apoptosis (32).

Excessive oxidative stress resulting from perturbation of redox homeostasis plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of T1D (33). This response is induced when the host scavenging system is overwhelmed with the accumulation of free radicals, such as reactive oxygen (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) (34). The reduced levels of endogenous antioxidant defense system components in β-cells makes them highly vulnerable to those reactive by-products as well as to proinflammatory cytokines (35). Impairment of redox homeostasis has been implicated in the impairment of β-cell function (36). In addition, ROS act on the innate immune system to induce the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, that ultimately lead to the activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (33, 37). Consistent with this, overexpression of antioxidant enzymes has been shown to protect insulin-producing cells from the damage caused by both oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines (38). Furthermore, mimetics of the antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant molecules, such as quercetin, are effective in preserving β-cell mass and protecting animals from development of T1D (39, 40). Taken together, these pieces of evidence suggest that metabolic stress is involved in the onset of T1D by impairing β-cell function and promoting β-cell destruction.

Cellular Metabolic Stress Responders: Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) in the Pathogenesis of T1D

The cellular stress response is a self-protective mechanism that counteracts environmental stresses and is mediated by a group of evolutionally conserved proteins, the heat shock proteins (HSPs) (41). The HSPs were originally described for their role as chaperones that regulate the conformation and function of a large number of cellular proteins in order to protect the body from stress. HSPs are, however, additionally involved in facilitating tumor antigen uptake and processing through MHC Class I and class II pathways in antigen presenting cells (for example, in dendritic cells) (42–44); thus, this may represent an opportunity for HSPs to be used to modulate immunologic responses in T1D as well as other autoimmune disorders. In this section, we will discuss the multifaceted roles of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in T1D (Table 2).

HSP60

Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is one of the most intensely studied HSPs, especially in relation to a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, atherosclerosis, juvenile dermatomyositis and diabetes (45–47). HSP60 is normally expressed in mitochondria, where it assists in the folding of small and soluble proteins in the mitochondrial matrix (48, 49). Mitochondrial stress conditions cause upregulation of HSP60 (48).

HSP60 demonstrates a direct link between innate immunity and autoimmunity in the pancreatic islets, since β-cells of NOD mice show expression of HSP60-related proteins (11) on their surface before the appearance of islet inflammation (12). Autoantibodies against self-HSP60 were also found to be associated with various autoimmune diseases such as T1D (50). HSP60 is a highly conserved protein, therefore both bacterial (foreign) and endogenous (self) HSP60 can act as an antigen for β-cells (13). However, the tissue specificity of HSP60, especially how and why β-cells are the preferred target for the HSP60-mediated T-cell response, is not fully understood. It has been proposed that systemic tissue-specific triggers such as IFN-γ, consequent upon a viral infection, may augment β-cells to become targets for anti-HSP60 T-cells (51). Moreover, it has also been suggested that HSP60 resides in a unique way in the secretory vesicle of the β-cell and, in the process of insulin secretion, these vesicles fuse to the β-cell membrane resulting in exposure of HSP60 to the extracellular environment even in the absence of mitochondrial stress (51, 52). Previous studies have shown HSP60-induced vascular endothelial cell damage via the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4)-activated NF-κB pathway (53). The pathogenic mechanism of HSP60 in T1D is mediated by the hyperproduction of the proinflammatory mediator IL-12 (p70) in macrophages of diabetes-prone NOD mice (54).

While HSP60 activates macrophages and dendritic cells by promoting proinflammatory effectors, the major autoantigenic segment of HSP60 is P277, a 24-residue peptide (VLGGGCALLRCIPALDSLTPANED) in the C-terminal of the HSP60 protein, that promotes anti-inflammatory cytokine production to regulate immune responses via toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) (Figure 1) (55, 56). A study performed on serum samples from children with T1D demonstrated that P277 peptide-specific T-cell activity was high in the pre-diabetic phase and, at the onset of disease, decreased markedly (10). Treatment of NOD mice with P277 peptide enhanced the survival of residual β-cell function even late in the course of autoimmunity, after the onset of clinical hyperglycemia (57). The protective effect of P277 peptide resulted from a shift in the cytokine profile of HSP60 autoimmunity from a proinflammatory Th1 phenotype to anti-inflammatory Th2 phenotype (58, 59). This suggests that HSP60 and HSP60-derived peptides can induce both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, confirming HSP60 as an important modulator of inflammation in T1D mellitus. Thus, the beneficial effect of P277 in controlling the inflammatory response against β-cells in T1D opens up a new therapeutic opportunity.

FIGURE 1

Figure 1 Possible mechanism of heat shock protein (HSP)-induced autoimmunity and HSP-derived antigen immunotherapy in T1D. Left panel, in response to cellular stresses, like ER stress or mitochondrial stress, HSPs undergo improper post-translational modifications and generate autoantigens. For example, in response to cellular stress, an autoreactive peptide fragment P277 is produced from HSP60 or HSP65 and released with the insulin granules from a pancreatic β-cell. The secreted P277 fragment is then taken up by antigen presenting cells, specifically dendritic cells and processed in lysosomal vesicles. Transfer of peptide fragments of the autoantigen to MHC class I or II molecules then occurs, that migrate to the plasma membrane and cross-present the autoantigen fragments (either by MHCI or MHCII) to cognate T cell receptors on naïve T helper cells (Th0). At the same time, dendritic cell processing of the autoantigen stimulates biosynthesis and secretion of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12) which stimulates the Th0 cells to undergo morphogenesis into autoreactive effector T helper cells (Th1). The autoreactive Th1 cells secrete inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-2; this then stimulates cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) to secrete nitric acid, peroxide, and several other inflammatory cytokines that stimulate pancreatic islet inflammation (insulitis). Th0 cells also activate B cells to produce autoantibodies against β-cells expressing HSP autoantigen 277. This hyperinflammatory reaction is enhanced by migration of other immune cells like macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells to the pancreatic islet. Thus, the chronic insulitis results in ongoing pancreatic β-cell death resulting in increasing insulin deficiency and a progressive increase in blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Right Panel, Exogenous administration (oral or subcutaneous delivery) of small amounts of synthetic fragments of the HSP60/HSP65-derived islet autoantigen, Diapep277, that exerts a protective antigen-specific therapeutic effect by stimulating dendritic cells. Upon administration, Diapep277 is taken up by dendritic cells, processed and presented by MHCII molecules to naïve Th0 cells. Activated dendritic cells also secrete the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 which stimulates naïve cognate Th0 lymphocytes to undergo morphogenesis into anti-inflammatory CD4+ Th2 helper cells that in turn secrete IL-10 which suppresses further development of autoreactive Th1 cells and decreases potential insulitis onset. Alternatively, naive Th0 cells may develop into one of several subclasses of regulatory T cells (Treg), which can block Th1 and CTL development leading to prevention of pro-inflammatory cytokine-induced insulitis of pancreatic islets resulting in retention of functional β-cells in T1D.

DiaPep277, the synthetic peptide derived from HSP60, functions as an epitope of HSP60 and showed the highest anti-HSP60 T-cell response (60). Oral administration of DiaPep277 increased IL-4 and IL-10 secretion and decreased IFN-γ secretion, meaning that it induced a Th2 response which reduced Th1 cell-induced autoimmunity to HSP60, GAD, and insulin; the T-cell response to bacterial antigen peptide treatment in DiaPep277 treated mice was, however, unaffected (58, 61). A randomized, double-blind clinical trial with DiaPep277 peptide treatment in patients with recent onset T1D has shown promising responses. DiaPep277 appeared to preserve endogenous insulin production through induction of a shift from Th1 to Th2 cytokine production by the autoimmune T-cells (62) (Figure 1). However, other similar studies carried out in children with recent onset T1D showed no beneficial effect in preserving β-cell function or improving metabolic control (63–65). Another randomized double-blind phase I/II clinical trial of P277 peptide therapy reported that, when administered to C-peptide positive patients, preservation of β-cell function resulted; mechanistically, this was due to anti-inflammatory IL10 production prevailing over therapy-generated cytokines, and no serious adverse effects were reported (66, 67).

HSP65

Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 65 (HSP65) is another well-known member of the HSP family; it contains numerous B and T-cell epitopes and can thus evoke a strong T-cell-dependent immune response (16, 17, 68). HSP65 shares 50% homology with human HSP60 (69); therefore, upon stimulation with bacterial HSP65, a cross immune response to host HSP60 is likely. Studies in NOD mice have shown the highest level of anti-HSP65 antibody detection before the onset of diabetes (15). The strong association of onset of β-cell destruction with development of anti-HSP65 T-lymphocytes in NOD mice (70) also suggests that the reaction to HSP65 may confer greater susceptibility to T1D in humans (71). Serological immunity, meaning IgG antibody cross-reactivity with mycobacterial HSP65, has also been shown to occur in humans with T1D (72). Thus, the unique “molecular mimicking” characteristic of HSP65 could serve as an advantageous carrier for a peptide-based vaccine, one therapeutic approach for the treatment of T1D. Nasal administration of the fusion protein HSP65-6 X P277 served as a vehicle for delivery of the peptide P277 and induced an anti-inflammatory immune response in NOD mice (16). Another HSP65-P277 fusion protein, His-HSP65-6IA2P2, delivered to NOD mice through nasal immunization also prevented development of diabetes (73), suggesting that HSP65 is a key modulator in resetting the immunological paradigm to prevent β-cell-specific inflammation.

HSP70

The HSP70 superfamily (ranging in size from 66 to 78 KDa), is a group of cytosolic ATP-dependent chaperones that also constitute a group of “autoantigens” with the potential to trigger immunoregulatory pathways in human inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), T1D, and atherosclerosis (74, 75). Previous studies have demonstrated the role of HSP70 in induction of β-cell directed immunity and in the development of insulin-deficient diabetes (76). HSP70 expression is increased in response to cellular stress, resulting in efficient protection against β-cell damaging mediators in isolated rat islets and in human β-cells (77, 78). HSP70 also plays a cyto-protective role in selenium nanoparticle (SeNP)-mediated prevention of progression of type 1 diabetic nephropathy (79). A deficit in stress-induced HSP70 expression in islets of an animal model of human T1D [BioBreeding diabetes-prone (BB-DP) rats] suggests a protective role for HSP70 in T1D (80, 81). The protective role of HSP70 also involves regulating metabolic pathways in T1D. HSP70 mediated heat-preconditioning attenuated streptozotocin (STZ)-induced metabolic alterations in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism and the oxidative state in T1D model rats (82). Defective HSP70 induction in response to cellular stress also aggravated the inflammatory milieu against β-cells at the onset of T1D (18). The humoral autoimmunity against HSP70 protein (specifically, increased IgA antibody levels against HSP70) was also observed in humans with T1D (19).

The direct immunogenic property of any particular peptide fragment of HSP70 has not yet been elucidated. However, its role in the possible contribution of another peptide recognition system to the selection of amino acid stretches for presentation by MHC molecules to T-cells has been well studied. HSP70 and other cytosolic chaperones have been found to bind peptides from antigenic proteins and to deliver such peptides to MHC class I or class II molecules, respectively (83). HSP70 binds to selected regions of the insulin molecule, specifically to a central hydrophobic leucine-rich core flanked by regions enriched for basic amino acids. These regions are superimposed upon the major target regions of MHC class II restricted T-cell autoimmunity to proinsulin in T1D and NOD mice (84). The interaction of HSP70 and proinsulin may occur within β-cells or in the extracellular environment, since HSP70 may also be incorporated in the secretory vesicle granules during proinsulin synthesis and released into the extracellular space (85). Upon binding of HSP70 to the immunogenic fragment of proinsulin, antigen presenting cells (APCs) can take up HSP70 or HSP70-peptide complexes via several cell surface receptors including CD91, LOX-1, and the Siglec family (20–22). In addition, immunogenic proinsulin peptide fragments can also be transferred to neighboring macrophages or dendritic cells through secretory vesicles or exosomes which also contain HSP70 (86–88). Thus, the peptide sequence positioned at the peptide binding cleft of HSP70 is not easily accessible to proteolytic cleavage but is available for transfer to MHC class II molecules for antigen presentation to T-cells to induce autoimmunity against β-cells in T1D.

HSP90

HSP90 is a highly conserved member of the heat shock protein family of molecular chaperones which is involved in numerous cellular processes including innate and adaptive immunity (89). Elevated levels of HSP90 were observed in islets of NOD mice prior to the onset of hyperglycemia (90). Elevated levels of circulating IgG1 and IgG3 class-switched anti-HSP90 autoantibodies have been consistently identified in individuals in the latent or pre-clinical stages of T1D, suggesting HSP90 as a potential biomarker for early detection of T1D (23). However, HSP90 may not be a marker of T1D disease progression in human. A recent study using human serum samples from the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention (PTP) study demonstrated that HSP90 levels were not different between autoantibody positive T1D progressors and non-progressors (91).

Whether HSP90 is protective or detrimental in T1D is not fully understood; however, a recent study in a T1D mouse model suggested that HSP90 might play a dual role in T1D (92). HSP90 is involved in regulating MHC class II presentation of both exogenous and endogenous GAD antigen by human B cells (93). Since GAD is also an autoantigen for T1D, it is likely that HSP90 may also participate in antigen processing and presentation of autoantigen in pancreatic β-cells in T1D. The mechanism by which HSP90 modulates antigen presentation is not fully understood; however, in NOD mice, it has been shown that HSP90 is secreted extracellularly in exosomes (94), suggesting a receptor-mediated uptake of HSP90 immunogenic peptide fragments by APCs to induce T cell-mediated autoimmunity in T1D.

DNAJ Family Proteins

The involvement of DNAJ family proteins in T1D has not been extensively studied to date. However, a large meta-analysis of genome wide genotyped datasets for T1D revealed that DnaJ/HSP40 homolog, subfamily C, member 27 gene (DNAJC27) is associated with T1D (95). A higher HSP40-creatinine ratio was observed in the urine of patients with T1D, suggesting a strong association of DNAJ family proteins in progressive renal injury in T1D (24). Mutations leading to loss of another ER-DNAJ family protein, DNAJC3, have been shown to result in pancreatic β-cell failure and diabetes in mice (96). Consistent with the animal findings, pedigree analysis and whole exome sequencing in two index families also revealed that a loss of function DNAJC3 mutation (resulting in absence of DNAJC3 protein in ER) manifested as monogenic diabetes and multisystemic neurodegeneration (97).

In contrast to these observations, a recent study demonstrated that DNAJC3 facilitated the cytokine-induced translocation and secretion of the ER chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78; also known as BiP) in rodent and human β-cells (98). This, in turn, may serve as an autoantigen of β-cells, as secreted GRP78 may have immunogenic characteristics against which the generation of autoantibodies has been reported (99). Therefore, DNAJ family proteins may play a dual role in the pathogenesis of T1D, and further studies are needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Other HSPs (HSP10 and HSP27)

HSP10 is a 10 kDa, highly conserved, mitochondrion-resident protein, possessing anti-autoimmunity properties. In a murine model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), recombinant HSP10 played a major role in reduction of phenotypic disease (100). In humans, HSP10 autoantibodies have been detected in a high proportion of patients with newly diagnosed fulminant T1D (FT1DM) and acute onset T1D (AT1DM), suggesting that autoantibodies to HSP10 are new diagnostic and clinical markers of T1D (25). Another highly conserved heat shock protein, HSP27, acts as a filament stabilizer under stress conditions, and has also been found to be associated with microvascular complications in T1D. The cross-sectional, nested, case-control study from the EURODIAB Prospective Complications Study in patients with T1D revealed an independent association between serum HSP27 (sHSP27) and distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSP), suggesting sHSP27 levels may be a novel biomarker of diabetic neuropathy (26).

Translational Aspects of HSP Studies in Type 1 Diabetes

Given the important roles that heat shock proteins play in normal and pathological conditions, their potential as therapeutic agents or targets for T1D has recently gained attention. DiaPep277, the synthetic peptide of the HSP60-derived peptide p277, has been shown to be effective as a modulator of the immune system by means of autoantigen vaccination as well as by modulating the innate immune system to preserve β-cell reserve in T1D. In vitro measurement of T-cell reactivity to Diapep277 demonstrated that, compared with the placebo-treated group, patients treated with Diapep277 produced less IFNγ and more IL-10 and IL-13 in response to the p277 peptide, indicating an enhanced TH2 cytokine phenotype (101). DiaPep277 also acts as a co-stimulator of human regulatory T cells. The signal transduction cascade induced by the p277 peptide involves suppression of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation and other identified downstream targets (101). Administration of DiaPep277 protected NOD mice against insulitis (57) and delayed the onset of diabetes in BB-DP rats (102), suggesting Diapep277 to be a promising candidate for a T1D vaccine. Interestingly, treatment with DiaPep277 in pre-clinical animal models of diabetes also modified the TH1 responses to other β-cell and diabetes-related autoantigens, such as insulin and GAD (58, 103). Clinical trials with DiaPep277 have also shown promising results. DiaPep277 was reported immunologically safe in a clinical trial as the majority of subjects demonstrated a peptide-specific anti-inflammatory cytokine profile dominated by production of the regulatory cytokine IL-10 (66). Another clinical study showed significant preservation of stimulated C-peptide production for up to 18 months in response to 1.0 mg of DiaPep277 in patients with T1D (62).

In addition to immunomodulation, HSPs may be viewed as survival proteins as well as disease biomarkers, possessing an intrinsic ability to confer protection against diabetic micro and macrovascular complications. In a large cohort of patients with T1D enrolled in the EURODIAB PCS study, higher circulating HSP27 levels were found to confer a twofold increased risk of distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP), independent of known risk factors and confounders (26). HSP70 may be beneficial in early diabetic nephropathy (DN) because of its intracellular cytoprotective activity. However, a small study performed in diabetic patients showed an association between urinary HSP70 levels and albuminuria (104). Moreover, serum HSP70 levels were higher in diabetic patients with albuminuria (105).

Several naturally occurring xenohormetic compounds (bioactive compounds that are produced in response to cellular stress) have been identified (106), which increase the expression of HSPs and consequently have therapeutic benefits in diabetes. For example, Alphalipoic acid (ALA), a potent natural antioxidant and an essential co-factor of mitochondrial enzymes has been shown to improve glucose uptake and has proven therapeutic benefits in diabetes and its associated complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and hypertension (107). Administration of ALA increased expression of HSF-1 and HSP70 in the kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic (SID) rats and protected them from their natural progression to nephropathy (108). HSP90 promotes cell survival, migration, inflammation, and angiogenesis, and is therefore considered to be a very promising target in cancer therapy. This has led to development of specific HSP90 inhibitors that are currently undergoing clinical testing in humans as chemotherapeutics. Recently, these compounds have also been tested in diabetic animals, revealing the benefit of HSP90 blockade in diabetic complications. For example, treatment of diabetic db/db mice on a high fat diet (HFD) with 17-Dimethylaminoethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) (the earliest and best characterized HSP90 inhibitor) preserved kidney function and ameliorated glomerular and tubular damage induced by HFD (109). HSP90 may also be beneficial in wound healing in T1D. A fragment of secreted HSP90, Hsp90α(F-5) accelerated diabetic wound healing in mice (110).

Limitations of the HSP Studies in Diabetes Research

The research to date on HSPs in the field of diabetes has limitations. A study reporting T-cell proliferative responses and HSP60-derived epitope-specific cytokine production should be interpreted with caution as patient numbers were small (111). Genetic polymorphism in HSP genes also present a confounding factor for interpretation of both pre-clinical and clinical data in HSPs-T1D studies. For example, the genes that encode for inducible HSP70 in human, rat and mouse are located with genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (112–114), and there is a well-recognized strong association between certain MHC genes and T1D susceptibility (115). Consequently, differences in HSP70 genotypes were found between control and T1D patients (116), and the role HSP70 plays in relation to T1D onset requires clarification. Another key limitation is the difficulty of interpreting whether changes in HSP expression in target organs with diabetic complications indicates direct involvement of HSPs in the pathogenic process or a compensatory cytoprotective response at different stages of the disease. Moreover, the opposing effects of intra and extracellular HSPs often leads to conflicting conclusions being drawn from HSP protein expression studies. For example, intracellular HSP70 is cytoprotective in defending renal cells exposed to the diabetic milieu, while extracellular HSP70 (eHSP70) causes tubulo-interstitial damage (117). This “dual-response” of a single HSP in different conditions limits their use as therapeutic options in T1D. In addition, pharmacological modulation of one HSP can enhance the expression of other HSPs which, in turn, can oppose its action. One example is inhibition of HSP90 by Celastrol (a Chinese traditional anti-inflammatory medicine) that induced a robust increase in critical heat shock proteins such as HSP70, HSP27, and HSP32 in neuronal cells (118). Considering such evidence, it is apparent that not all HSPs will be suitable therapeutic targets for T1D prevention. Therefore, intervention studies targeting specifically either intra or extracellular HSPs are required to gain deeper insight into the functional role of HSPs in T1D and its related complications.

Conclusions and Future Perspectives

The occurrence of T1D is increasing worldwide. Despite better insulins, and progress in islet transplantation and other techniques to facilitate treatment, the disease is still very serious, with a high risk of complications (119). HSPs have been considered as the immunodominant antigens of insulitis in T1D. Autoantibodies as well as effector pathological T cells reactive to self HSPs (for example, T cells reactive to HSP60) were found in T1D, suggesting a close association of HSPs in the pathogenesis of T1D. Interestingly, HSPs play a dual role in T1D: apart from serving as danger signals to pancreatic β-cells, peptides derived from HSPs also act as an inducers of regulatory T cell responses that can dampen inflammation in T1D. Given the complexity of the immune response targeting insulin-producing β-cells, it is unlikely that a single therapy could represent an optimally effective way to treat T1D; hence, autoantigen treatment in combination therapies may be a way forward. HSP-based antigen specific therapies hold great promise for preventing or inhibiting β-cell destruction in T1D. HSPs and their auto-antigenic peptide fragments are able to stimulate a T-cell response and thus can restore tolerance of β-cells against autoantigens. Moreover, HSPs can potentially be used as biomarkers for those at risk prior to the onset of T1D. Taken together, targeting HSPs may represent a novel way to circumvent the obstacles of current therapeutic strategies in the treatment and prevention of T1D.

Author Contributions

AM, MN, AD, MD, and AB wrote the manuscript. MD and AB conceived the idea for the project. AB is the guarantor of this work. All authors gave their consent for publication. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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