Heat shock proteins and psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic disfiguring skin condition which may be induced or exacerbated by stress. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), as molecular chaperones, play a central role in protein folding and cellular protein homeostasis. The many different functions of HSPs in the cell depend on the specific HSP involved. HSPs play crucial roles in inflammation and immune reactions, and have emerged as promising therapeutic targets. In this review, we compile current lines of evidence concerning the roles and molecular mechanisms of HSPs that lead to the occurrence and development of psoriasis.