title: Localization of human neutrophil peptide (HNP) and its messenger RNA in neutrophil series.
abstract: Human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) 1,2 and 3, also called defensins, have high antimicrobial activity and are cytotoxic to both normal and transformed human cells. The localization of HNPs 1-3 and their mRNAs in cells of normal human bone marrow and peripheral blood was investigated. Immunoreactivity for HNPs 1-3 appeared in the promyelocyte stage and increased with the maturation of the neutrophil series. HNPs 1-3 were absent from such mononuclear phagocyte systems as peripheral monocytes, alveolar macrophages, and Kupffer cells in the liver. HNP 1-3 mRNAs were detected in bone marrow cells by Northern blot analysis and in peripheral leukocytes by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HNPs 1-3 are restricted to cells of neutrophil lineage and seem to function as microbicidal agents in the neutrophil-mediated defense system.
authors.affiliation: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Miyazaki Medical College, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Date
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakazato
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiomi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toshimori
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kangawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsukura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D023082:Defensins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015335:Molecular Probes / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D023082:Defensins; D015335:Molecular Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger