Expression of Antimicrobial Peptides in Human Monocytic Cells and Neutrophils in Response to Dengue Virus Type 2.
OBJECTIVE
The innate immune response is remarkably important for controlling infections. Information about the participation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in response to dengue virus (DENV) is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the AMP response to DENV-2 in human THP-1 cells and neutrophils.


METHODS
Protein and mRNA levels of two AMPs - hBD-1 and cathelicidin LL-37 - were assessed in DENV-infected macrophage-like THP-1 cells using qRT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence. Also, mRNA levels of α-defensins (hDEFAs) and LL-37 were examined by qRT-PCR in human neutrophils taken from peripheral blood and treated with DENV-2.


RESULTS
mRNA expression of hBD-1 rose in THP-1 cells at 24-72 h, while protein expression increased later, from 48 to 72 h after infection. Cathelicidin LL-37 mRNA expression of DENV-infected THP-1 cells was observed at 6-48 h after infection, while protein levels increased importantly up to 72 h after infection. Regarding neutrophils, the mRNA expression of hDEFAs and LL-37 increased slightly at 2 and 5 h after the contact with DENV-2.


CONCLUSIONS
THP-1 cells and human neutrophils strongly respond to DENV by producing AMPs: hBD-1 and LL-37 for the THP-1 cells and hDEFAs and LL-37 for neutrophils. However, the direct effect of these molecules on DENV particles remains unclear.
Departamento de Sistemas Biológicos, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico.
Jorge I
JI
Castañeda-Sánchez
Diana Alhelí
DA
Domínguez-Martínez
Nataly
N
Olivar-Espinosa
Blanca Estela
BE
García-Pérez
María Alba
MA
Loroño-Pino
Julieta
J
Luna-Herrera
Ma Isabel
MI
Salazar
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D054804:Cathelicidins
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; C406407:DEFB1 protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023084:alpha-Defensins; D023083:beta-Defensins; D054804:Cathelicidins