The putative role of human peritoneal adipocytes in the fight against bacteria: synthesis of the antimicrobial active peptide DEFA1-3.
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous peritonitis is a rather rare event, even in peritoneal dialysis (PD). As defensins are natural antimicrobial peptides, we hypothesized that adipocytes as the major constituents of the omentum could play an important role in protecting against infection by generating defensin (DEFA1-3).


METHODS
We isolated adipocytes from the omentum majus and conducted qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses.


RESULTS
For the first time described, we were able to detect DEFA1-3 mRNA in highly purified isolated omental adipocytes. The expression of DEFA1-3 in adipocytes was confirmed on the protein level by immunohistochemistry.


CONCLUSIONS
Our report of DEFA1-3 expression by human omental adipocytes adds to the role of adipocytes in the primary defense against bacterial infection. This may include PD, where the presence of the catheter as a foreign body and the nonphysiological dialysis solution may require constant defense measures to prevent peritonitis, a hypothesis that will require further testing.
Paslakis
Georgios
G
Institut für Klinische Biochemie der Medizinischen Poliklinik, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Georgios.Paslakis@zi-mannheim.de
Keuneke
Christian
C
Groene
Hermann-Josef
HJ
Schroppel
Bernd
B
Schmid
Holger
H
Schloendorff
Detlef
D
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009852:Omentum / Q000378:metabolism; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000378:metabolism; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023084:alpha-Defensins; C406413:human neutrophil peptide 1; C406416:human neutrophil peptide 2; C406427:human neutrophil peptide 3