Background Endocervical epithelial cells play early roles in the defense of upper female genital tract to pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and human defensins (HD) have recently been identified as fundamental...Background Endocervical epithelial cells play early roles in the defense of upper female genital tract to pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and human defensins (HD) have recently been identified as fundamental components of the innate immune responses to bacterial pathogens. We aimed to use in vitro model of human primary endocervical epithelial cells (HPECs) to investigate their roles in innate immune response of the endocervix. Methods TLR4 expression and distribution in HPECs and endocervix were investigated by immunofluorescence (IF). Cultured HPECs were divided into lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group which were treated by LPS for 0, 24 and 48 hours, and control group without treatment. At each time point, the levels of HD5, IL-6 and TNF-a in supernants were determined by ELISA. TLR4 and HD5 expressions of cells were detected by Western blotting simultaneously. HD5 expression pattern was also compared between the HeLa cell line and HPECs. Results Endocervix tissue surface and HPECs expressed TLR4. After incubated with LPS, HPECs expressed significantly higher levels of TLR4 than control group, especially after 24 hours (P 〈0.01), however decreased after 48 hours with a similar level of TLR4 expression compared with control group. LPS could upregulate the secretion of HD5, IL-6 and TNF-a in a time-dependent manner (24 hours: P 〈0.05; 48 hours: P 〈0.01, compared with control group). Intracellular HD5 expression levels decreased over time. HD5 expression patterns in HPECs were different from HeLa cell line. Conclusions To respond to LPS stimulation, HPECs may function in the mucosal immune defense through TLR4 activation and HD5 secretion. HPEC is considered a significant model for immunological study.展开更多
Anti-microbial peptides are essential for the intestinal innate immunity that protects the intestinal epithelia from attacks by foreign pathogens. Human β-defensin (HBD) is one of the pivotal anti-microbial peptides ...Anti-microbial peptides are essential for the intestinal innate immunity that protects the intestinal epithelia from attacks by foreign pathogens. Human β-defensin (HBD) is one of the pivotal anti-microbial peptides that are expressed in the colonic epithelia. This study investigated the effect and the signaling mechanism of inducible β-defensin HBD2 by an essential amino acid, isoleucine (Ile) in colonic epithelial cells. Here we examined the expression level of HBD2 on induction of Ile in epithelial cells, and checked this pathway. HBD2 mRNA was induced by co-incubation with IL-1α and Ile in Caco2 cells, but not by Ile alone. An inhibitor of either ERK or Gi, a subunit of G-proteins, reduced the induction of HBD2 mRNA by Ile. The treatment with Ile also increased the intracellular calcium ion concentration, thus suggesting that the GPCR and ERK signaling pathway mediate the effects of Ile. These results indicate that an essential amino acid, Ile, enhances the expression of an inducible β-defensin, namely HBD2, by IL-1α through the activation of GPCRs and ERK signaling pathway. The administration of Ile may therefore represent a possible option to safely treat intestinal inflammation.展开更多
To investigate whether LL-37 and human beta defensin-2 (hBD-2) is related to the patients with psoriasis seldom having skin infections and explore the role of the two peptides and CCR6 (the receptor of hBD-2) in the p...To investigate whether LL-37 and human beta defensin-2 (hBD-2) is related to the patients with psoriasis seldom having skin infections and explore the role of the two peptides and CCR6 (the receptor of hBD-2) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the expression levels of mRNA of LL-37, hBD-2, and CCR6 in skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris were detected by using RT-PCR. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of the two peptides and CCR6 in psoriatic lesions all increased compared with the normal skin (P<0.001). It was suggested that up-regulated expression of LL-37 and hBD-2 might be the main reason that result in the the skin of patients with psoriasis being seldom infected, and the two peptides and CCR6 might play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.展开更多
Amniochorion membranes were collected from 25 pregnant women at preterm labor, in the presence or not of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and 27 pregnant women at term in the presence at labor, in order ...Amniochorion membranes were collected from 25 pregnant women at preterm labor, in the presence or not of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and 27 pregnant women at term in the presence at labor, in order to quantify the expression and to evaluate the immunoreactivity of human beta defensins (HBD)1, HBD2, HBD3 and HBD4 in amniochorion membranes from pregnancies complicated by spontaneous prematurity. The HBDs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, real time quantitative PCR and ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-squared and Mann Whitney tests. There was no significant difference in HBDs expression between study and control groups: HBD1 (Md = 0.62 (0.0 - 105.0) vs Md = 0.80 (0.02 - 25.0);p = 0.85), HBD2 (Md = 0.17 (0.0 - 5.2) vs Md = 0.0 (0.0 - 43.2);p = 0.16), HBD3 (Md = 0.11 (0.0 - 140.5) vs Md = 0.06 (0.0 - 972.1);p = 0.91). Also, HBD1, HBD2 and HBD3 protein expression was not significant different between the groups: HBD1 (1.32 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.85) vs 1.08 pg/mL (0.04 - 2.22);p = 0.67), HBD2 (0.00 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.74) vs 0.02 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.24);p = 0.69), HBD3 (0.04 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.05) vs 0.09 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.05);p = 0.63). The immunoreactivity of HBD1, HBD2 and HBD3 was observed in amnion, chorion and decidua cells from preterm and term pregnancies. Amniochorion membranes are sources of HBD1, HBD2 and HBD3 and their expressions are similar in term and preterm pregnancies.展开更多
目的探索肺结核患者血清甲壳质酶蛋白40(chitinase protein 40,YKL-40)、β-防御素-2(human beta defensin 2,HBD-2)水平及其对肺结核的诊断价值。方法选取2021年6月—2023年6月山东省立医院收治的86例肺结核患者为肺结核组,根据痰涂片...目的探索肺结核患者血清甲壳质酶蛋白40(chitinase protein 40,YKL-40)、β-防御素-2(human beta defensin 2,HBD-2)水平及其对肺结核的诊断价值。方法选取2021年6月—2023年6月山东省立医院收治的86例肺结核患者为肺结核组,根据痰涂片结果分为活动性肺结核组(n=50)和非活动性肺结核组(n=36),另选取86例来自我院体检中心的健康受试者作为对照组。检测所有受试者血清中YKL-40、HBD-2水平并分析肺结核患者血清中YKL-40与HBD-2的相关性;采用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线分析血清中YKL-40、HBD-2水平对肺结核及活动性肺结核的诊断价值。结果肺结核组血清YKL-40、HBD-2水平高于对照组(P均<0.05);活动性肺结核组血清YKL-40、HBD-2水平高于非活动性肺结核组(P均<0.05)。肺结核患者血清中YKL-40与HBD-2的水平呈正相关(r=0.601)。YKL-40、HBD-2及2者联合诊断肺结核的曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)分别为0.895、0.922、0.962,2者联合诊断优于单独诊断;YKL-40、HBD-2及2者联合诊断活动性肺结核的AUC分别为0.891、0.881、0.959,2者联合诊断优于单独诊断。结论肺结核患者血清YKL-40、HBD-2水平显著升高,且随病情加重而升高,2者对肺结核及活动性肺结核的具有一定的诊断价值。展开更多
文摘Background Endocervical epithelial cells play early roles in the defense of upper female genital tract to pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and human defensins (HD) have recently been identified as fundamental components of the innate immune responses to bacterial pathogens. We aimed to use in vitro model of human primary endocervical epithelial cells (HPECs) to investigate their roles in innate immune response of the endocervix. Methods TLR4 expression and distribution in HPECs and endocervix were investigated by immunofluorescence (IF). Cultured HPECs were divided into lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group which were treated by LPS for 0, 24 and 48 hours, and control group without treatment. At each time point, the levels of HD5, IL-6 and TNF-a in supernants were determined by ELISA. TLR4 and HD5 expressions of cells were detected by Western blotting simultaneously. HD5 expression pattern was also compared between the HeLa cell line and HPECs. Results Endocervix tissue surface and HPECs expressed TLR4. After incubated with LPS, HPECs expressed significantly higher levels of TLR4 than control group, especially after 24 hours (P 〈0.01), however decreased after 48 hours with a similar level of TLR4 expression compared with control group. LPS could upregulate the secretion of HD5, IL-6 and TNF-a in a time-dependent manner (24 hours: P 〈0.05; 48 hours: P 〈0.01, compared with control group). Intracellular HD5 expression levels decreased over time. HD5 expression patterns in HPECs were different from HeLa cell line. Conclusions To respond to LPS stimulation, HPECs may function in the mucosal immune defense through TLR4 activation and HD5 secretion. HPEC is considered a significant model for immunological study.
文摘Anti-microbial peptides are essential for the intestinal innate immunity that protects the intestinal epithelia from attacks by foreign pathogens. Human β-defensin (HBD) is one of the pivotal anti-microbial peptides that are expressed in the colonic epithelia. This study investigated the effect and the signaling mechanism of inducible β-defensin HBD2 by an essential amino acid, isoleucine (Ile) in colonic epithelial cells. Here we examined the expression level of HBD2 on induction of Ile in epithelial cells, and checked this pathway. HBD2 mRNA was induced by co-incubation with IL-1α and Ile in Caco2 cells, but not by Ile alone. An inhibitor of either ERK or Gi, a subunit of G-proteins, reduced the induction of HBD2 mRNA by Ile. The treatment with Ile also increased the intracellular calcium ion concentration, thus suggesting that the GPCR and ERK signaling pathway mediate the effects of Ile. These results indicate that an essential amino acid, Ile, enhances the expression of an inducible β-defensin, namely HBD2, by IL-1α through the activation of GPCRs and ERK signaling pathway. The administration of Ile may therefore represent a possible option to safely treat intestinal inflammation.
文摘To investigate whether LL-37 and human beta defensin-2 (hBD-2) is related to the patients with psoriasis seldom having skin infections and explore the role of the two peptides and CCR6 (the receptor of hBD-2) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the expression levels of mRNA of LL-37, hBD-2, and CCR6 in skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris were detected by using RT-PCR. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of the two peptides and CCR6 in psoriatic lesions all increased compared with the normal skin (P<0.001). It was suggested that up-regulated expression of LL-37 and hBD-2 might be the main reason that result in the the skin of patients with psoriasis being seldom infected, and the two peptides and CCR6 might play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
文摘Amniochorion membranes were collected from 25 pregnant women at preterm labor, in the presence or not of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) and 27 pregnant women at term in the presence at labor, in order to quantify the expression and to evaluate the immunoreactivity of human beta defensins (HBD)1, HBD2, HBD3 and HBD4 in amniochorion membranes from pregnancies complicated by spontaneous prematurity. The HBDs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, real time quantitative PCR and ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-squared and Mann Whitney tests. There was no significant difference in HBDs expression between study and control groups: HBD1 (Md = 0.62 (0.0 - 105.0) vs Md = 0.80 (0.02 - 25.0);p = 0.85), HBD2 (Md = 0.17 (0.0 - 5.2) vs Md = 0.0 (0.0 - 43.2);p = 0.16), HBD3 (Md = 0.11 (0.0 - 140.5) vs Md = 0.06 (0.0 - 972.1);p = 0.91). Also, HBD1, HBD2 and HBD3 protein expression was not significant different between the groups: HBD1 (1.32 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.85) vs 1.08 pg/mL (0.04 - 2.22);p = 0.67), HBD2 (0.00 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.74) vs 0.02 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.24);p = 0.69), HBD3 (0.04 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.05) vs 0.09 pg/mL (0.0 - 1.05);p = 0.63). The immunoreactivity of HBD1, HBD2 and HBD3 was observed in amnion, chorion and decidua cells from preterm and term pregnancies. Amniochorion membranes are sources of HBD1, HBD2 and HBD3 and their expressions are similar in term and preterm pregnancies.
文摘目的探索肺结核患者血清甲壳质酶蛋白40(chitinase protein 40,YKL-40)、β-防御素-2(human beta defensin 2,HBD-2)水平及其对肺结核的诊断价值。方法选取2021年6月—2023年6月山东省立医院收治的86例肺结核患者为肺结核组,根据痰涂片结果分为活动性肺结核组(n=50)和非活动性肺结核组(n=36),另选取86例来自我院体检中心的健康受试者作为对照组。检测所有受试者血清中YKL-40、HBD-2水平并分析肺结核患者血清中YKL-40与HBD-2的相关性;采用受试者工作特征(receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线分析血清中YKL-40、HBD-2水平对肺结核及活动性肺结核的诊断价值。结果肺结核组血清YKL-40、HBD-2水平高于对照组(P均<0.05);活动性肺结核组血清YKL-40、HBD-2水平高于非活动性肺结核组(P均<0.05)。肺结核患者血清中YKL-40与HBD-2的水平呈正相关(r=0.601)。YKL-40、HBD-2及2者联合诊断肺结核的曲线下面积(area under the curve,AUC)分别为0.895、0.922、0.962,2者联合诊断优于单独诊断;YKL-40、HBD-2及2者联合诊断活动性肺结核的AUC分别为0.891、0.881、0.959,2者联合诊断优于单独诊断。结论肺结核患者血清YKL-40、HBD-2水平显著升高,且随病情加重而升高,2者对肺结核及活动性肺结核的具有一定的诊断价值。