Expression of human beta-defensin -1, -2, and -3 in non-inflamed pseudocyst, mucoceles.
OBJECTIVE
The expressions of human beta defensin-1 (HBD-1), -2 (HBD-2) and -3 (HBD-3) in non-inflamed pseudocysts such as mucoceles were investigated immunohistochemically in this study.


METHODS
Mucocele specimens were obtained from 21 patients. The expression of HBDs was studied immunohistochemically by using antibodies directed against HBD-1, -2, and -3. Statistical analyses were carried out on serial sections stained with antibodies.


RESULTS
Cells expressing HBDs were found in mucoceles. The expression of HBD-2 was observed in floating cells in all the specimens, whereas HBD-1 and HBD-3-expressing cells were detected in 93% and 73% of the mucoceles, respectively. The HBD-2 signal was the most intense and the HBD-3 signal intensity was weaker than that of HBD-1. HBDs were expressed in neutrophils and in other floating cells. Interestingly, the signal intensity and the population of positive cells located close to the centers of cysts were higher than those located in the peripheral areas of cysts.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of HBDs was found even in non-inflamed pseudocysts such as mucoceles. These results suggest that an unknown mechanism not involved in biophylaxis for the expression of HBDs may exist.
Frederic
M K
MK
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
Yamaai
T
T
Mizukawa
N
N
Kaneda
Y
Y
Katase
N
N
Gunduz
M
M
Nagatsuka
H
H
Sugahara
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009078:Mucocele / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C422950:DEFB103A protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins