Immune regulatory functions of human beta-defensin-2 in odontoblast-like cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of human beta-defensins on the expression of genes involved in the host immune response of the dental pulp.


METHODS
Human odontoblast-like cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. Cells were stimulated by recombinant human beta-defensins (rhBDs) up to 4 h. RNA was extracted followed by cDNA synthesis (oligo-(dT)-primer). Samples were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. Genes of interest were: human beta-defensin-1, -2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, cyclooxygenase-2, leukotriene-A4-hydrolase, cytosolic phospholipase-A-2 (cPLA(2)), and dentine sialophosphoprotein. Gene expression of beta-actin served as internal standard for normalizing real-time PCR data. Two-way anova and the paired t-test were applied for comparison of the gene expression.


RESULTS
In odontoblast-like cells rhBD-2 stimulation led to a down-regulation of the gene expression of hBD-1 (P < 0.05), whilst the mRNA expression of IL-6 (P < 0.05), IL-8 (P < 0.05) and cPLA(2) was increased in response to rhBD-2.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study suggest immune regulatory functions of human beta-defensin-2 in odontoblast-like cells.
Dommisch
H
H
Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventative Dentistry, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. henrik.dommisch@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Winter
J
J
Willebrand
C
C
Eberhard
J
J
Jepsen
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000032:analysis; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D054513:Group IV Phospholipases A2; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000276:immunology*; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D023083:beta-Defensins; D010741:Phospholipases A; D054513:Group IV Phospholipases A2; C516389:PLA2G4A protein, human