High level expression of human epithelial beta-defensins (hBD-1, 2 and 3) in papillomavirus induced lesions.
BACKGROUND
Epithelial defensins including human beta-defensins (hBDs) and alpha-defensins (HDs) are antimicrobial peptides that play important roles in the mucosal defense system. However, the role of defensins in papillomavirus induced epithelial lesions is unknown.


RESULTS
Papilloma tissues were prospectively collected from 15 patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) and analyzed for defensins and chemokine IL-8 expression by quantitative, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. HBD-1, -2 and -3 mRNAs were detectable in papilloma samples from all RRP patients and the levels were higher than in normal oral mucosal tissues from healthy individuals. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that both hBD-1 and 2 were localized in the upper epithelial layers of papilloma tissues. Expression of hBD-2 and hBD-3 appeared to be correlated as indicated by scatter plot analysis (r = 0.837, p < 0.01) suggesting that they were co-inducible in papillomavirus induced lesions. Unlike hBDs, only low levels of HD5 and HD6 were detectable in papillomas and in oral mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Human beta-defensins are upregulated in respiratory papillomas. This novel finding suggests that hBDs might contribute to innate and adaptive immune responses targeted against papillomavirus-induced epithelial lesions.
Chong
Kong T
KT
Department of Otolaryngology & Communicative Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi, USA. kchong@ent.umsmed.edu
Xiang
Liangbin
L
Wang
Xiaohong
X
Jun
Eunjoo L
EL
Xi
Long-Fu
LF
Schweinfurth
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D052140:Human papillomavirus 11 / Q000276:immunology*; D052163:Human papillomavirus 6 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010212:Papilloma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins