Expression of human beta-defensins HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 in cultured keratinocytes and skin substitutes.
Defensins are effector molecules of the innate host defense system with antimicrobial activity against a variety of pathogens, including microorganisms commonly found in burn units. beta-Defensins are variably expressed in the epithelia of skin and other organs. Cultured skin substitutes (CSS) grafted to burn wounds lack a vascular plexus and are therefore more susceptible to microbial contamination than split thickness skin autograft. To investigate whether beta-defensins can contribute to host defense in CSS, we examined expression of human beta-defensins HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 in cultured keratinocytes and CSS from uninjured donors and burn patients. HBD-1 was expressed in all keratinocyte strains analyzed. HBD-2 expression in keratinocyte monolayers was highly variable but did not correlate with burn injury. HBD-3 was expressed at variable levels in all but one keratinocyte strain. CSS were prepared from two donors that lacked expression of HBD-2 in keratinocyte monolayers. All three genes were readily detected in CSS from both donors, suggesting up-regulation of HBD-2 and HBD-3. In sections of CSS, HBD-1, HBD-2, and HBD-3 proteins were localized to distinct epidermal regions. We conclude that beta-defensins can potentially contribute to innate immunity in CSS, but their levels may be too low to prevent contamination after grafting.
Supp
Dorothy M
DM
Research Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Cincinnati Burns Hospital, 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. dsupp@shrinenet.org
Karpinski
Andrea C
AC
Boyce
Steven T
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C422950:DEFB103A protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins