title: Modulation of human beta-defensin-2 expression by 17beta-estradiol and progesterone in vaginal epithelial cells.
abstract: We investigated the expression of HBD-1 and -2 in vaginal epithelial cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the effects on HBD-2 expressions by 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. Primary vaginal epithelial cells were isolated from a segment of normal anterior vaginal wall obtained during vaginoplasty and were cultured in keratinocyte growth medium and were allowed to undergo their 3rd passage. Expression of HBD-1 and -2 by different stimuli using LPS 0.5 microg/ml, 17beta-estradiol 2 nM and progesterone 1 microM was measured by RT-PCR, ELISA and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. HBD-1 was produced constitutively in vaginal epithelial cells and the production of HBD-1 was not influenced by LPS, 17beta-estradiol and progesterone, but the production of HBD-2 was increased inducibly by LPS. 17beta-Estradiol and progesterone did not change the production of HBD-2 in normal state, but 17beta-estradiol increased the production of HBD-2 and progesterone suppressed the production of HBD-2 under the circumstances with infection. The HBD-2 plays an important role at innate host defense on genitourinary tract. The lacks of estrogen during menopause or uses of a progesterone-based oral contraceptive in sexually active women may influence production of HBD-2 in vaginal epithelium and may increase susceptibility to bacterial vaginitis or recurrent UTI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, KEPCO Medical Foundation Hanil General Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: June Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Min Su
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Moo Yeol
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tae Hyoung
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mi-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hye Ryoun
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soon Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Myung
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology*; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol