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Expression of mammalian defensin genes
Author(s) -
Kaiser Vicki,
Diamond Gill
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.68.6.779
Subject(s) - biology , defensin , innate immune system , beta defensin , antimicrobial peptides , gene , transcription factor , microbiology and biotechnology , lipopolysaccharide , signal transduction , immune system , immunology , regulation of gene expression , gene expression , antimicrobial , genetics
Antimicrobial peptides are a prevalent mechanism of host defense found throughout nature. In mammals, defensins are among the most abundant of these broad‐spectrum antibiotics, and are expressed in epithelial and hematopoietic cells. The defensin peptides are especially abundant in neutrophils; however, gene expression is limited to the promyelocyte stage. In epithelial cells, defensin genes are found as both constitutively expressed and inducible. Induction has been observed in vitro by stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide as well as inflammatory mediators. In vivo , up‐regulation of several defensin genes occurs in both infectious and inflammatory states. Gene regulation occurs via signal transduction pathways common to other innate immune responses, utilizing transcription factors such as nuclear factor (NF)‐κB and NF interleukin‐6. Together, the data suggest a broad‐based innate host defense whereby potent antimicrobial peptides are present to prevent initial colonization by pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, the recognition of bacteria coupled with a nascent inflammatory response can bolster this defense by a coordinated up‐regulation of the peptides.