In human epidermis, beta-defensin 2 is packaged in lamellar bodies.
The skin presents a mechanical, as well as an immunological barrier to infection, and displays considerable innate immune capacity. Recently, cultured human keratinocytes were described to produce and export a microbicidal peptide human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2). Immunogold was used to label ultrathin cryosections of stimulated, cultured human epidermis. HBD-2 was found to be stored in the lamellar bodies (LBs) of the stimulated keratinocytes of the spinous layer of the epidermis. HBD-2 was also found in the intercellular space. These findings suggest that HBD-2 is released with the contents of the LBs. Along with other investigations, our findings indicate that the lipid "permeability" barrier of the skin contains antimicrobial substances.
Oren
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Department of Medicine and Pathology, Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. aoren@medsch.ucla.edu
Ganz
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Liu
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Meerloo
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D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000906:Antibodies; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D007375:Interleukin-1; D023083:beta-Defensins