Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2000 Nov;43(11):1202-1207.

Expression of Antimicrobial Defensin Peptides of the Human Nasal Mucosa

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul Red Cross Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Sanghag@ns.kumc.or.kr
  • 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.

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.

Keyword

Defensin; RT-PCR; Dot blot hybridization; Inferior turbinate; Nasal polyp

MeSH Terms

Humans*
Immunity, Innate
Immunohistochemistry
Inflammation
Mucous Membrane
Nasal Mucosa*
Nasal Polyps
Peptides*
RNA, Messenger
Sinusitis
Turbinates
Peptides
RNA, Messenger
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