Hsp60 in Modifications of Nervous System Homeostasis and Neurodegeneration

Hsp60 is a critical chaperonin for its role in preserving cell survival and protecting mitochondria against stress conditions. Indeed, mutations or malfunctions of Hsp60 are involved in several human diseases, either genetic or acquired, some of them affecting also the brain. In this chapter, we present several experimental observations supporting the role of Hsp60 in some neurodegenerative diseases. Further, Hsp60, as multifunctional protein, contributes to the protein folding system, to protect mitochondria and is involved in several other cellular pathways that are known to be affected in these diseases. Furthermore, due to its role outside of the mitochondria and in the extracellular fluids, it has also been suggested that Hsp60 has a role in triggering neuroinflammation. Taken together, these considerations strongly suggest the important role for Hsp60 in neurodegenerative diseases and might propose Hp60 as an attractive target for developing future therapies.