Expression of human β-defensin-2 in the prostate.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and regulation of human β-defensin-2 (HBD-2) in the prostate.


METHODS
Normal human prostate epithelial cell line (RWPE-1), human prostate cancer cell lines (DU-145, PC-3), and paraffin-embedded prostate tissue from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were analysed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining. HBD-2 expression was also analysed by RT-PCR and ELISA in RWPE-1 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation was assessed by IκBα immunoblotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).


RESULTS
BPH tissue and all of the tested prostate cell lines other than PC-3 constitutively express HBD-2 mRNA. HBD-2 protein was strongly detected in prostate gland tissue surrounded by inflammatory cells including macrophages. Exposure to LPS induced HBD-2 upregulation and NF-κB activation, as assessed by IκBα phosphorylation and degradation in RWPE-1 cells. Bay11-7082, an NF-κB inhibitor prevented LPS-induced HBD-2 production in RWPE-1 cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Prostate epithelial cells may constitutively express HBD-2, and its expression was upregulated by LPS. Our data indicate that HBD-2 may be an important immunomodulatory factor in prostate function. Expression of HBD-2 in normal prostates and the potential role of HBD-2 in prostatitis and BPH should be addressed in the future.
Kim
Hae Jong
HJ
Advanced Urogenital Disease, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jung
Ja Rang
JR
Kim
Hea Jin
HJ
Lee
Shin Young
SY
Chang
In Ho
IH
Lee
Tae Jin
TJ
Kim
Wonyong
W
Myung
Soon Chul
SC
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; D016328:NF-kappa B; D023083:beta-Defensins