title: Expression of beta-defensin-1 in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) airways.
abstract: In human airways, beta-defensins function in the elimination of various pathogens. They have been identified in a wide range of species. Here we report the identification and expression of chimpanzee beta-defensin-1 (cBD1), which is a homolog of human beta-defensin-1, in chimpanzee airways and skin. The cBD1 cDNA sequence differs by only one synonymous nucleotide substitution compared to the human cDNA sequence. In situ hybridization revealed that in lung tissue beside alveolar macrophages also airway epithelial cells, endothelial cells and type II pneumocytes express cBD1 mRNA. In skin, cBD1 mRNA was expressed in keratinocytes and endothelial cells. Together, these results show similarity in structure and expression pattern and perhaps in function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Duits
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Langermans
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paltansing
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van der Straaten
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vervenne
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hiemstra
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Nibbering
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D001483:Base Sequence; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins