Objective: To investigate the expression of the Hsp27 and Hsp70 in A549 cells treated with heat and BPDE.
Methods: A549 cells cultured in vitro were divided into heat stress group and BPDE group. Cells cultured at 37 degrees C used as control. The heat stress group was exposed to heat at different temperature (39 degrees C, 42 degrees C and 43 degrees C) for 2h. The BPDE group was treated with different concentrations of BPDE (0, 2, 4 and 8 micromol/L). Western-blot was used for the Hsp27 and Hsp70 expression analysis.
Results: In heat stress group, Hsp27 expression levels significantly increased compared to the control (P < 0.05) and reached its peak at 39 degrees C. Hsp70 expression level also increased after heat stress. It reached the peak at 42 degrees C and was higher than that of the control with significance (P < 0.05). In BPDE group, Hsp27 and Hsp70 expression levels were higher than those of the control. Hsp27 reached a maximum at 8 micromol/L, the highest concentration of BPDE in this experiment, and was significantly higher than that of the control (P < 0.05). But it was still on its elevatory phase. Hsp70 reached its peak at 4 micromol/L and was significantly higher than that of the control at 4 micromol/L and 8 micromol/L.
Conclusion: Both heat and BPDE can induce the expressions of Hsp27 and Hsp70. In heat stress group, the Hsp27 and Hsp70 levels reached their peaks at 39 degrees C and 42 degrees C. In BPDE group, the expressional levels of Hsp27 and Hsp70 reached their peaks at 8 micromol/L and 4 micromol/L.