title: [Houttuynia Cordata induces expression of human beta-defensin-2 mRNA in pulmonary epithelial cells in vitro].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effects of Houttuynia Cordata on expression of human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) in pulmonary epithelial cells (SPC-A-1) in vitro; and to observe the correlationship between the level of HBD-2 mRNA and the concentrations or treatment times of Houttuynia Cordata.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SPC-A-1 cells were cultured with different concentrations of Houttuynia Cordata in vitro, including 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 microg/ml. And then, the SPC-A-1 cells were cultured with the optimal concentration of Houttuynia Cordata in different lengths of time, including 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours. After the treatment, the mRNA level of HBD-2 in pulmonary epithelial cells was detected by means of semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After being cultured with Houttuynia Cordata, the expression of HBD-2 mRNA had positive correlation with the stimulus concentrations (rs=0.829, P=0.042) and stimulus time (rs=0.914, P=0.003). The highest expression of HBD-2 mRNA was induced by 100 microg/ml Houttuynia Cordata after 8-hour treatment. In comparison with the normal control group and the interleukin-1beta group, 100 microg/ml Houttuynia Cordata could significantly up-regulate the expression of HBD-2 mRNA in SPC-A-1 cells after 8-hour treatment (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Houttuynia Cordata can up-regulate expression of HBD-2 mRNA in SPC-A-1 cells, and the highest expression level of HBD-2 mRNA can be obtained by culture with 100 microg/ml Houttuynia Cordata for 8 hours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610041, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Bi-rong
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Li-hua
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Teng
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D052859:Houttuynia; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C442781:Houttuynia cordata extract; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins