Expression of beta-defensin 1 and 2 in nasal epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages from HIV-infected patients.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of respiratory infection is high in HIV-infected patients. beta-defensins are anti-microbial peptides derived from epithelia on the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Nothing is known about the rate of expression of beta-defensin 1 and 2 mRNAs in nasal epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages in HIV-infected patients.


METHODS
Semiquantitative rt-PCR measurement of beta-defensins 1 and 2 and beta-actin were carried out on nasal epithelial cells of 109 patients (76 HIV-infected) and alveolar macrophages from 56 patients (18 HIV-infected).


RESULTS
The levels of beta-defensin 1 and 2 mRNAs in nasal epithelial cells did not differ significantly between HIV-infected and non-infected patients. In the nasal epithelial cells of HIV-negative patients who suffered from respiratory infections beta-defensin levels were decreased. beta-defensin 1 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in alveolar macrophages from HIV infected patients. beta-defensin 2 mRNA expression in alveolar macrophages was very low. beta-defensins 1 and 2 mRNA expression did not correlate with CD 4 cell numbers in the blood of HIV-infected patients.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV infection and CD 4 cell numbers in the blood do not influence beta-defensin 1 and 2 expressions in nasal epithelial cells. In alveolar macrophages, beta-defensin 1 expression is decreased in HIV-infected patients.
Alp
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Gudrunstr. 56, D-44791 Bochum, Germany.
Skrygan
M
M
Schlottmann
R
R
Kreuter
A
A
Otte
J M
JM
Schmidt
W E
WE
Brockmeyer
N H
NH
Bastian
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins