Antimicrobial defensin peptides of the human nasal mucosa.
Defensins, a prominent group of antimicrobial peptides, are an important component of the innate immune response, particularly at mucosal surfaces that are vulnerable to colonization by potential pathogens. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression of defensins in inferior turbinate mucosa of normal subjects and inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyps of patients with chronic sinusitis. Expression of beta-defensin 1 and 2 and alpha-defensin 5 and 6 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) was investigated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and their expression level was semiquantitatively evaluated by dot blot hybridization. Immunohistochemical analysis was used for detection of alpha-defensins 1, 2, and 3 in tissue sections. Beta-defensin 1 mRNA was expressed in all tissue samples, at levels that did not differ significantly. Beta-defensin 2 mRNA was detected in the turbinate mucosa and nasal polyps of patients with chronic sinusitis, but not in normal mucosa. Its expression level was significantly higher in nasal polyps than in turbinate mucosa. Alpha-defensin 5 and 6 mRNAs were not expressed in any tissues, but alpha-defensins 1, 2, and 3 were detected in all tissue samples obtained from patients with chronic sinusitis. These results suggest that beta-defensin 1 may play a constitutive role in nasal defenses, whereas alpha-defensins 1, 2, and 3 and beta-defensin 2 may be induced in response to local infection or inflammation.
Lee
Sang Hag
SH
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul.
Kim
Jung Eun
JE
Lim
Hyun Ho
HH
Lee
Heung Man
HM
Choi
Jong Ouck
JO
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D023082:Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014420:Turbinates
D023082:Defensins; D012333:RNA, Messenger