Heat shock protein-70 and hypoxia inducible factor-1a in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients complicated with retinopathy

Conclusions: Our study was the first that investigated both HSP70 and
HIF-1a in humans and was the first that measured their levels in serum of
patients with DR. The study suggested that HSP70 might have a protective
function in T2DM patients rather than a therapeutic function. HIF-1a had
an upper hand in the development and progression of DR. Induction of
HSP70 and blockage of HIF-1a could lead to the development of novel
prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for DR and potentially other diabetic
complications.