Expression of beta-defensins in the tubotympanum of experimental otitis media.
CONCLUSIONS
Since the expression levels of beta-defensins 2-4 were up-regulated in experimental otitis media, they may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of otitis media.


OBJECTIVE
Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that play a major role in innate immunity. The goal of this study was to identify the expression of defensins in experimental otitis media of the mouse.


METHODS
The expression of three alpha-defensins (cryptdins, cryptdin-related sequences 1-C (CRS1-C), and CRS4-C) and four beta-defensins (mBD1, mBD2, mBD3, and mBD4) was investigated in the tubotympanum of experimental otitis media in mice by a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the expression levels of three beta-defensins (mBD2, mBD3, mBD4) were evaluated by Western blotting.


RESULTS
The alpha-defensins were not expressed in the tubotympanum. mBD1 was expressed constitutively in normal middle ear mucosa and Eustachian tube mucosa, but up-regulated expression of mBD2, mBD3, and mBD4 was observed with RT-PCR and Western blotting in the tubotympanums in experimental otitis media, while the normal tubotympanums did not express them.
Jin Shin
Dong
D
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Gan-Undram
Semeibsuren
S
Jin Kim
Seo
S
Joon Jun
Young
Y
Jung Im
Gi
G
Hyun Jung
Hak
H
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020539:Sequence Analysis, Protein; D015854:Up-Regulation; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D004731:Endotoxins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins