title: Abundant human beta-defensin-1 expression in milk and mammary gland epithelium.
abstract: Human beta-defensin-1 (HBD-1) was detected in breast milk in concentrations of approximately 1 to 10 microg/mL. Breast tissue during lactation showed HBD-1 expression in mammary gland epithelia and within luminal secretions. The peptide demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. HBD-1 may augment neonatal host defenses through antimicrobial effects or prime the adaptive immune system at mucosal surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Starner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ackermann
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: McCray
mesh_terms: D001940:Breast / Q000166:cytology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / Q000276:immunology; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins