Defensin-1, an antimicrobial peptide present in the saliva of patients with oral diseases.
OBJECTIVE
A preceding paper has noted a detection of defensin-1 (HNP-1), a peptide with antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, in the saliva of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. The present study deals with the presence of HNP-1 in the saliva of patients with various oral diseases.


METHODS
Whole saliva samples were obtained from the patients. HNP-1 in the saliva was isolated and purified by HPLC and the amino acid sequence of the peptide was determined. The molecular weight of HNP-1 was measured by mass spectrometry. The concentration of HNP-1 in saliva was determined by comparing the height of eluted HNP-1 with that of a synthetic HNP-1 standard.


RESULTS
The concentrations of HNP-1 in the saliva of patients with oral lichen planus (n = 5), leukoplakia (n = 4), and glossitis associated with iron deficiency (n = 4) were 8.3 +/- 4.3 micrograms ml-1, 13.2 +/- 7.9 micrograms ml-1, and 11.4 +/- 4.9 micrograms ml-1, (mean +/- s.d.), respectively. These concentrations were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (0.8 microgram ml-1) (P < 0.01). In contrast, salivary HNP-1 concentrations in patients with glossodynia (n = 4) and oral discomfort (n = 4) were similar to those in healthy subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Since HNP-1 is a non-specific defensive peptide present in neutrophils, it may play an important role in the protection against diseases such as oral lichen planus, leukoplakia, and glossitis associated with iron deficiency.
Mizukawa
N
N
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 1, Okayama University Dental School, Japan.
Sugiyama
K
K
Ueno
T
T
Mishima
K
K
Takagi
S
S
Sugahara
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D023082:Defensins; D005260:Female; D005926:Glossalgia / Q000378:metabolism; D005928:Glossitis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000378:metabolism; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D023084:alpha-Defensins
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023082:Defensins; D011506:Proteins; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D023084:alpha-Defensins; C406413:human neutrophil peptide 1