title: Pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic properties of Human Defensin 5.
abstract: Defensins are cationic antimicrobial peptides that play an important role in innate immunity by primarily acting against microbes. Their antimicrobial properties have been widely studied and are well understood. Defensins contribute to regulation of host immunity also. Their effects on cells of the host however are less well understood. Here, we report on the pro-inflammatory and apoptotic properties of Human Defensin 5, the major antimicrobial peptide of ileal Paneth cells. We find that HD-5 up-regulates expression of genes involved in cell survival and inflammation in a NF-kB-dependent fashion in epithelial cells. Further, we find that HD-5 has pro-apoptotic effects on intestinal epithelial cells as well as primary CD4+ T cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Virology of the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Wuyuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Leeuw
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000737:chemistry; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D023082:Defensins / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019879:Paneth Cells / Q000737:chemistry; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; D023082:Defensins; D016209:Interleukin-8; D016328:NF-kappa B; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: Antimicrobial peptide; Apoptosis; Human Defensin 5; Interleukin 8; Intestinal epithelium