Differential expression of human beta-defensin 2 in keratinized and non-keratinized oral epithelial lesions; immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.
Human beta-defensin(hBD)-2, an antimicrobial peptide, is produced by various epithelial cells. Because hBD-2 expression in the oral epithelium has not been assessed, we investigated its localization in normal oral epithelium and epithelial lesions. hBD-2 expression was studied using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 30 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 6 cases of leukoplakia. Immunostaining for hBD-2 was more intense in hyperkeratinized than in ortho- or non-keratinized epithelium. In contrast, signals for hBD-2 mRNA were frequently stronger in non-keratinized epithelium than in hyper- or ortho-keratinized epithelium. The results suggest that keratinization in oral epithelium plays an important role in the biological function of hBD-2 both at the mRNA level and in the retention of the peptide in the epithelium.
Abiko
Y
Y
Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan. yoshi-ab@hoku-iryo-u.ac.jp
Suraweera
A K
AK
Nishimura
M
M
Arakawa
T
T
Takuma
T
T
Mizoguchi
I
I
Kaku
T
T
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins; D007633:Keratins