title: Localization of expression of human beta defensin-1 in the pancreas and kidney.
abstract: Defensins are antimicrobial peptides which play a key role in innate immunity. High levels of human beta defensin-1 (hBD-1) have previously been detected in the kidney and pancreas, but the cell-specific location of hBD-1 mRNA has not been determined. The expression of hBD-1 mRNA has been examined in fetal and adult pancreas and kidney by mRNA in situ hybridization. In fetal pancreas, hBD-1 expression was detected in the developing acini and in adult pancreas in the acini, but not in the pancreatic ducts. In both fetal and adult kidney, hBD-1 expression was detected in the collecting ducts and in the loops of Henle in adult kidney. Expression of hBD-1 mRNA in the pancreas and kidney from early development and in the acini of the adult pancreas, rather than in the pancreatic ducts, may indicate that in these tissues, hBD-1 fulfils physiological functions in addition to host defence.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital, U.K.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schnapp
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D023082:Defensins; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D023083:beta-Defensins
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; D023082:Defensins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins