title: Expression of beta-defensins in the canine respiratory tract and antimicrobial activity against Bordetella bronchiseptica.
abstract: Beta-defensins are cationic peptides which form part of the innate immune response of the respiratory epithelium. Due to their antimicrobial properties and immunostimulatory activity, beta-defensins are potential tools for the treatment and prevention of respiratory disease. In dogs, infectious respiratory disease is a common problem, particularly in housed animals. This study aimed to assess the presence of four beta-defensins in the canine respiratory tract and to use quantitative real-time PCR to determine mRNA levels following microbial challenge. Three beta-defensins, CBD1, CBD103 and CBD108, were detected in respiratory cells. All three defensins were also readily expressed in skin samples, while their expression in lymphoid tissues and the kidney was low and inconsistent. Treatment of primary tracheal epithelial cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or infection with canine respiratory coronavirus led to decreased expression of CBD103 and CBD108, while cells infected with canine parainfluenza virus had lower levels of CBD1 and CBD108. Furthermore CBD103 was demonstrated to have antimicrobial activity against the respiratory pathogen Bordetella bronchiseptica.
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: kerles@rvc.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Erles
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brownlie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001884:Bordetella / Q000276:immunology*; D001885:Bordetella Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014132:Trachea / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D023083:beta-Defensins; C482199:lipopolysaccharide, E coli O55-B5