ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Human beta-defensins (hBDs) are a group of antimicrobial peptides, expressed by the epithelial cells of many organs including gingival epithelium. The present study examined correlation between the gene expressions of hBD-1, -2, -3 mRNAs and the inflammatory cytokines in human gingival tissues. STUDY DESIGN: The gingival tissues were obtained from surgical discards from 20 different patients (age range, 5-13 years). The expression levels of mRNAs were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR with LightCycler. The mRNA expression levels were normalized with those of keratin 10 mRNA. The data were statistically analysed using Person's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The expression levels of hBD-1,-2 and -3 were significantly correlated with each other and also correlated with that of TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the expression levels of hBDs vary from one individual to another.
