Expression of beta defensin 2 in experimental pulmonary tuberculosis: tentative approach for vaccine development.
OBJECTIVE
Defensins are low molecular weight antimicrobial and immunomodulatory peptides. Their participation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) infection has been scarcely studied.


METHODS
We describe the kinetics of murine β-defensin 2 (mBD-2) expression by quantitative real-time PCR and cellular location by immunohistochemistry in murine models of progressive pulmonary tuberculosis and latent infection.


RESULTS
During progressive disease, mBD2 gene expression raised its peak at 14 days postinfection, whereas in latent infection it was at 90 days. In both models, mBD-2 immunostaining was essentially located in cells with dendritic morphology located near mediastinal lymph nodes, which correlated with the previous reported highest expression of cell-mediated protected immunity in both models.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that mBD-2 may play a role in the control of bacilli growth by contributing to establish a Th1 response, being a link between innate and adaptative immunity. These data may be used for the development of new vaccine approaches.
Medical Research Unit Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas, Mexico.
Bruno
B
Rivas-Santiago
Alberto
A
Cervantes-Villagrana
Eduardo
E
Sada
Rogelio
R
Hernández-Pando
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D032581:Tuberculosis Vaccines; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
C117047:Defb2 protein, mouse; D032581:Tuberculosis Vaccines; D023083:beta-Defensins