title: Effect of defensin peptides on eukaryotic cells: primary epithelial cells, fibroblasts and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although the usefulness of the antimicrobial peptides known as defensins has been suggested against oral and skin infections, possible adverse effects of the defensins on the host should be understood before clinical applications can be contemplated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we investigated how alpha-defensin (HNP-1) and beta-defensins (hBD-1, -2, -3) affect cells including primary epithelial cells, fibroblasts and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, SCC-9 and KB.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cell proliferation was assessed by the direct cell counting and XTT assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that alpha-defensin promotes proliferation of the epithelial cells at low concentration but has a cytotoxic effect at high concentration. In contrast, beta-defensins have little effect on these cells at any concentration, suggesting that beta-defensins may have no adverse effects on the host.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, in terms of host response beta-defensins may be more suitable antimicrobial agents for clinical applications than alpha-defensins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abiko
authors.forename: Yoshihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kurashige
authors.forename: Maiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeshima
authors.forename: Mami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kusano
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saitoh
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaku
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D023082:Defensins; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D013552:Swine; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C422950:DEFB103A protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D023082:Defensins; D023084:alpha-Defensins; D023083:beta-Defensins; C406413:human neutrophil peptide 1