Expression of human beta-defensins-1, 2 and 4 mRNA in human lung tumor tissue: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the patterns of human beta-defensin-1, 2, 4 (hBDs) expression in human lung tumors.


METHODS
Tissue samples of surgically resected human lung tumors (squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), n=10; adenocarcinoma (AC), n=10) paired with conditionally normal tissue samples were analyzed for expression of hBD-1, 2, 4 mRNA by semiquantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
In a number of studied lung cancer tissue samples, overexpression of defensin mRNA was registered: hBD-1 mRNA (50% of SCC and 60% AC), hBD-2 mRNA (60% of SCC and 50% of AC) or hBD-4 (40% of SCC and 20% AC). No correlation was detected between the levels of hBD-1, hBD-2 and hBD-4 mRNA and histological type, differentiation grade of the tumor, and the stage of the disease, as well as the content of hBD-2 peptide in blood serum of lung cancer patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Human beta-defensins-1 and -2 are often up-regulated in human lung tumors.
Shestakova
T
T
R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine.
Zhuravel
E
E
Bolgova
L
L
Alekseenko
O
O
Soldatkina
M
M
Pogrebnoy
P
P
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015854:Up-Regulation; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins