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. 2024 Aug 28;25(1):277.
doi: 10.1186/s12882-024-03706-8.

A longitudinal assessment of heat exposure and biomarkers of kidney function on heat shock protein 70 and antibodies among agricultural workers

Jaime Butler-Dawson  1   2 , Richard J Johnson  3 , Lyndsay Krisher  4   5 , Diana Jaramillo  4 , Alex Cruz  6 , Daniel Pilloni  6 , Stephen Brindley  4   5 , Bernardo Rodriguez-Iturbe  7 , Laura Gabriela Sanchez-Lozada  8 , Miranda Dally  4   5 , Lee S Newman  4   5   9   10
Affiliations

A longitudinal assessment of heat exposure and biomarkers of kidney function on heat shock protein 70 and antibodies among agricultural workers

Jaime Butler-Dawson et al. BMC Nephrol. .

Abstract

Background: Exposure to extreme heat impacts millions of people worldwide and outdoor workers are among the populations most affected by hot temperatures. Heat stress induces several biological responses in humans, including the production of heat shock proteins (HSP) and antibodies against HSP (anti-HSP) which may play a central role in the body's cellular response to a hot environment.

Objective: This longitudinal study investigated the impact of elevated temperatures and humidity on the presence of HSP70 and anti-HSP70 and examined relationships with markers of kidney function in an at-risk workforce under conditions of extreme heat and exertion in Guatemala.

Methods: We collected ambient temperature and relative humidity data as well as biomarkers and clinical data from 40 sugarcane workers at the start and the end of a 6-month harvest. We used generalized mixed-effects models to estimate temperature effects on HSP70 and anti-HSP70 levels. In addition, we examined trends between HSP70 and anti-HSP70 levels and markers of kidney function across the harvest.

Results: At the end of the harvest, temperatures were higher, and workers had, on average, higher levels of HSP70 and anti-HSP70 compared to the beginning of the season. We observed significant increasing trends with temperature indices, heat index, and HSP70 levels. Maximum temperature was associated with HSP70 increments after controlling for age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (β: 0.21, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.09, 0.33). Kidney function decline across the harvest was associated with both higher levels of anti-HSP70 levels at the end of the harvest as well as greater increases in anti-HSP70 levels across the harvest.

Conclusions: These results suggest that workplace heat exposure may increase the production of HSP70 and anti-HSP70 levels and that there may be a relationship between increasing anti-HSP70 antibodies and the development of renal injury. HSP70 holds promise as a biomarker of heat stress in exposed populations.

Keywords: Heat exposure; Kidney disease; Workers.

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Conflict of interest statement

University of Colorado and Pantaleon are separate, independent organizations. The University of Colorado employed appropriate research methods in keeping with academic freedom, based conclusions on critical analysis of the evidence and reported findings fully and objectively. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by the University of Colorado Anschutz in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies. The authors declare that they have no other conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Box plots of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels, ng/mL (left) and log-transformed HSP70 levels (right). Horizontal lines represent the median and boxes the 25th–75th percentiles
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Box plots of antibodies against heat shock protein 70 (Anti-HSP70) levels, µg/mL (left), and log-transformed Anti-HSP70 serum levels (right). Horizontal lines represent the median and boxes the 25th–75th percentiles
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Scatterplots of Change in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)-Cystatin C from November to April with 1) April Anti-HSP70 (left) and 2) Change in Anti-HSP70 from November to April (right). A negative change in eGFR-Cystatin C represents lower values in April compared to November (i.e., worsening kidney function). A positive change in Anti-HSP70 represents higher values in April compared to November
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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