Heat shock proteins: a double-edged sword linking periodontal and cardiovascular diseases

Periodontitis is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and stroke, independently of traditional risk factors (1,2). [...]tooth loss levels, as an indicator of past periodontal disease and poor oral hygiene are also associated with cardiovascular events (3,4). Fujinami and colleagues (10) proposed that because of cross-reactions between epitopes of invading pathogens and epitopes in the host, an invading pathogen may stimulate an autoimmune response in the host. [...]autoantibodies and/or T cells that are induced by the invading pathogen, not only destroy the invading pathogen, but also attack host tissues containing cross-reactive epitopes. Antibody cross-reactivity was variable and partial, indicating that in addition to cross-reactive HSP epitopes, specific, noncross-reactive HSP epitopes also exist (unpublished observations). [...]individuals who mount an immune response to cross-reactive HSP epitopes may be at an increased risk of developing CVD compared with those who mount an immune response to noncross-reactive HSP epitopes. [...]in a mouse model, peptide 19 demonstrated pro-atherogenic properties by enhancing Th1 immune responses; while, peptide 14 (TVEVVEGMQFDRGYISPYFV) demonstrated anti-atherogenic properties by enhancing T-regulatory immune responses (25).