title: Host defense effector molecules in mucosal secretions.
abstract: Mucosal secretions contain a range of defense effector molecules including antimicrobial peptides and proteinase inhibitors. These molecules play a central role in host defense against infection, and in a variety of immune and inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of neutrophil defensins, the cathelicidin hCAP-18/LL-37, and the proteinase inhibitors secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor, SKALP/elafin and cystatin M/E in various mucosal secretions and urine. We show here that especially seminal plasma is characterized by high concentrations of hCAP-18/LL-37, SLPI, SKALP/elafin and cystatin M/E. The results of this study demonstrate that each mucosal secretion is characterized by a unique profile of effector molecules, which may supply individual mucosal secretions with specific properties related to the control of local infection and inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. s.tjabringa@vumc.nl
authors.forename: G Sandra
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Tjabringa
authors.forename: Joost B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Olthuis
authors.forename: Dennis K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ninaber
authors.forename: Klaus F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Rabe
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schalkwijk
authors.forename: Pieter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Hiemstra
authors.forename: Patrick L J M
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Zeeuwen
mesh_terms: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D054804:Cathelicidins; D055332:Cystatin M; D015891:Cystatins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D023082:Defensins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009093:Mucus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000276:immunology*; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C525104:CST6 protein, human; D054804:Cathelicidins; D055332:Cystatin M; D015891:Cystatins; D023082:Defensins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; D011506:Proteins; C506814:SLPI protein, human; D053481:Secretory Leukocyte Peptidase Inhibitor