title: In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity of Human β-Defensin-3 and Its Mouse Homolog.
abstract: Defensins comprise a family of mammalian cationic antimicrobial peptides. We investigated the anticancer effects of human β-defensin-3 (hBD3) and its mouse homolog, Defb14, on lung cancer cells.
  
  
  
  We stained lung cancer cells cultured after treatment with the defensin peptide using propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342. In vivo, Defb14 peptide or vehicle was continuously infused near subcutaneous Lewis lung carcinoma cell tumor in mice. After 9-day infusion, the weights of excised tumors were determined.
  
  
  
  A 10-min treatment with hBD3 (70 μg/ml) induced propidium iodide uptake in lung cancer cells. The anticancer activity of hBD3 was significantly more potent than the activity of other defensin isoforms. Continuous infusion of Defb14 peptide showed significant tumor-growth suppression in Lewis lung carcinoma cells in mice.
  
  
  
  Our study demonstrated the suppression of tumor growth by Defb14 peptide in an animal model.
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yoko
authors: Y
authors: Hanaoka
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan yamayasu-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Yamaguchi
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Masaki
authors: M
authors: Ishii
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Takahide
authors: T
authors: Nagase
authors: Department of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Hiroki
authors: H
authors: Kurihara
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Masahiro
authors: M
authors: Akishita
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yasuyoshi
authors: Y
authors: Ouchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C422950:DEFB103A protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins
keywords: Antimicrobial peptide; cytotoxicity; membrane damage