title: Expression of human beta-defensin-2 gene induced by CpG-DNA in human B cells.
abstract: Defensins have a broad range of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The expression of human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) is prevalently observed in epithelial cells and is induced by bacterial infection. Here, we have shown that the expression of the hBD-2 gene and release of hBD-2 protein into the medium is up-regulated in response to CpG-DNA in human B cell line RPMI 8226. The induction of hBD-2 was dependent on CG sequence and phosphorothioate backbone-modification. This was also confirmed in primary human lymphocytes. To shed light on the molecular mechanism involved in hBD-2 induction by CpG-DNA, we examined the contribution of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in RPMI 8226 cells. Suppression of MyD88 function and inhibition of NF-kappaB nuclear localization blocked hBD-2 induction. The NF-kappaB pathway inhibitors also abolished hBD-2 induction. These results may contribute to a better understanding on the therapeutic effects of CpG-DNA against infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Gangwon-do 200-702, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Su Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Young-Eun
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong-A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jae-Bong
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yong-Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Younghee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ihn-Geun
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyung-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C408982:CPG-oligonucleotide; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D023083:beta-Defensins