title: Developmental expression and distribution of sheep beta-defensin-2.
abstract: The aim of this study was to define the ontogeny of sheep beta-defensin-2 (SBD-2) mRNA and peptide in selected tissues of fetal, neonatal and adult sheep by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Fetal and neonatal lambs had significantly greater SBD-2 tissue distribution than adult sheep. For all ages, the intestines had consistent SBD-2 mRNA expression while extra intestinal expression was sporadic and weak. In adult sheep, SBD-2 mRNA levels decreased from the jejunum caudally to the rectum and a pooled sample from all age groups showed a similar tendency. SBD-2 immunoreactive cells were predominantly in the crypts and base of villi in the small intestine and in a modest number of glands in the large intestine. Interestingly, ileal follicle-associated epithelium lacked detectable SBD-2 immunoreactivity. SBD-2 mRNA and peptide expression are greatest in the intestinal tract and tissue distribution progressively decreases with maturity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, 2740 Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA. dmeyerho@iastate.edu
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Meyerholz
authors.forename: Jack M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gallup
authors.forename: Branka M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Grubor
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Brian F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Tack
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: McCray
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ackermann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins