Therapeutic potential of Hsp27 in neurological diseases

Background Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are widely reported in normal cellular dynamics under stress and non-stress conditions, and parallelly, the studies regarding its role in disease condition are also progressing steadily. The function of Hsps in neurodegenerative disorders is puzzling and not fully understood. This review aims to focus on the role of Hsp27 in normal and diseased conditions and emphasize its therapeutic potential. Hsp27 Hsp27, in particular, has shown to be involved in cell viability and actin cytoskeleton remodeling and also shown to improve many disease conditions. Phosphorylated Hsp27 modulates the p53 pathway by downregulating cellular senescence and also lowers reactive oxygen species to protect TNF alpha-mediated apoptosis. Hsp27 is also known to interfere with mitochondria-dependent and mitochondria-independent cell apoptotic stimulation. Conclusion This article will highlight the various functions of Hsp27 especially as an anti-apoptotic factor and stress response factor and its therapeutic potential in preventing neuronal apoptosis in neurological diseases. This review also includes a comparison of the therapeutic potential of Hsp27 with regard to other small Hsps.