Effect of defensin peptides on eukaryotic cells: primary epithelial cells, fibroblasts and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.
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.
Nishimura
Michiko
M
Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan.
Abiko
Yoshihiro
Y
Kurashige
Yoshihito
Y
Takeshima
Maiko
M
Yamazaki
Mami
M
Kusano
Kaoru
K
Saitoh
Masato
M
Nakashima
Keisuke
K
Inoue
Takashi
T
Kaku
Tohru
T
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*
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