Differential expression of ?-and ?-defensin in human peripheral blood / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To examine the expression of a- and ?-defensin genes in human peripheral leukocytes. Methods Fifty-one healthy blood donors were studied. Peripheral leukocytes were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) 100 ng?ml-1 ex vivo. The level of defensin mRNA expression in the leukocytes were assessed after being incubated with LPS for 0 (baseline), 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 h by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Southern blot analysis and sequencing were used to confirm the identity of defensin gene transcripts. Results Expression of ?-defensin 1-3 mRNA was detected in all donors studied, but no ?-defensin mRNA expression was detected in peripheral leukocytes before LPS-stimulation. Expression of ?-defensin-1 gene was detected in the leukocytes after being incuaated with LPS for 3 h in 45 of 51 donors (88.2% ) and ?-defensin-2 mRNA expression was positive in 20 donors (39.2 % ), but no ?-defensin-3 mRNA expression was detected. The levels of ?-defensin-1 and-2 mRNA peaked at 6 h and started decreasing at 12 h. In contrast there was no significant change in ?-defensin 1-3 mRNA in peripheral leukocytes after LPS-stimulation. Conclusion In human peripheral leukocytes ?-defensin-1 and-2 genes are induced transiently by LPS-stimulation;whereas ?-defensin 1-3 genes are constitutive. The induced expression of ?-defensin-1 and-2 genes show inter-individual variability.