Expression of Antimicrobial Defensin Peptides of the Human Nasal Mucosa.
- Author:
Jung Eun KIM
1
;
Young Joon JEONG
;
Jeong Joon KIM
;
Chan Ki YOO
;
Heung Man LEE
;
Sang Hag LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul Red Cross Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Sanghag@ns.kumc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Defensin;
RT-PCR;
Dot blot hybridization;
Inferior turbinate;
Nasal polyp
- MeSH:
Humans*;
Immunity, Innate;
Immunohistochemistry;
Inflammation;
Mucous Membrane;
Nasal Mucosa*;
Nasal Polyps;
Peptides*;
RNA, Messenger;
Sinusitis;
Turbinates
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2000;43(11):1202-1207
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Defensin, an antimicrobial peptide, is an important component of the innate immune response, particulary at mucosal surface. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression of defensin in inferior turbinate mucosa and nasal polyp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of beta-defensin 1, 2 and alpha-defensin 5, 6 mRNA was investigated by RT-PCR and dot blot hybridization. Immunohistochemistry was utilized for detection of alpha-defensin 1, 2, 3 in tissue section. RESULTS: beta-defensin 1 mRNA was expressed in all tissue samples, with not so significantly different levels of expression. beta- defensin 2 mRNA was detected in patients with chronic sinusitis, but not in patients with normal mucosa. Its expression level was significantly higher in nasal polyp than in turbinate mucosa. alpha-defensin 5, and 6 mRNA were not expressed in any tissue but alpha-defensin 1, 2 and 3 were detected in all tissue samples obtained from patients with chronic sinusitis. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that beta-defensin 1 may play a constitutive role in the nasal defense while alpha-defensin 1, 2, 3 and beta-defensin 2 may be induced in response to local infection or inflammation.
