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Defensin‐6 mRNA in human Paneth cells: implications for antimicrobia peptides in host defense of the human bowel
Author(s) -
Jones Douglas E.,
Bevins Charles L.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(93)81160-2
Subject(s) - defensin , paneth cell , biology , small intestine , antimicrobial peptides , in situ hybridization , messenger rna , complementary dna , microbiology and biotechnology , northern blot , gene , antimicrobial , biochemistry
The epithelial surface of the human small intestine is a barrier between the host and the microbial environment of the lumen. A human small intestine cDNA clone was found to encode a new member of the defensin family of antimicrobial peptides, named human defensin‐6. Tissue expression of this mRNA is specific for the small intestine as determined by Northern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction analysis. In situ hybridization demonstrated that human defensin‐6 mRNA localizes to Paneth cells in the crypts of Lieberkühn. The finding of an abundant defensin mRNA in human Paneth cells supports the notion that these epithelial cells may play a key role in host defense of the human bowel. The results also strengthen the hypothesis that peptide‐based host defenses are prevalent at mucosal surfaces in mammals.