Increased level of HSP27 but not of HSP72 in human heart allografts in relation to acute rejection.

Background: Increased expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) was assumed during cardiac allograft rejection. To find evidence for this in man, we quantified HSP27 and HSP72 in cardiac allograft biopsies.

Methods: In parallel to histological assessment of rejection, HSP27 was quantified by Western blotting in a total of 43 biopsies sampled from 3 patients.