title: The Role of Human Beta-Defensin-2 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pulmonary Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Patients.
abstract: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disease affecting the Caucasian population. Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infection is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in CF patients. Human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) is an inducible pulmonary antimicrobial peptide that exerts bacteriostatic activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The decreased expression and compromised function of hBD-2 contributes to the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa infection in the CF lung. The purpose of this review is to outline the significance of hBD-2 in P. aeruginosa chronic pulmonary infection in CF patients.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, P7B 5E1, ON, Canada, ddalcin@nosm.ca.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dalcin
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ulanova