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[Human beta-defensin 1: from defence to offence].
- Source :
-
Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie [Z Gastroenterol] 2012 Nov; Vol. 50 (11), pp. 1171-5. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Nov 13. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- The human gut is colonised by about one kilogram of commensal bacteria. These microorganisms are a potential threat, thus an efficient defence system is crucial in preventing bacterial translocation and infection. Besides other mechanisms of protection humans produce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are able to kill a broad range of microorganisms. The human beta-defensin 1 (hBD-1) plays a major role because it is produced constitutively by all human epithelia and some immune cells. In contrast to other AMPs, however, the biological function of hBD-1 has remained unclear since the antibiotic activity of hBD-1 in vitro was only marginal. But still, several diseases have been associated with genetic polymorphisms in the hBD-1 encoding gene. Herein we discuss why the biological role of hBD-1 has been overlooked and how hBD-1 can be activated by chemical reduction. We elaborate on the biological significance of this activation and its importance for inflammatory bowel disease.<br /> (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)
- Subjects :
- Gene Expression Regulation genetics
Humans
Immunity, Mucosal immunology
Oxidation-Reduction
Virulence immunology
Bacteria immunology
Bacteria pathogenicity
Bacterial Translocation immunology
Immunity, Innate immunology
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases genetics
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases immunology
Intestinal Mucosa immunology
Intestinal Mucosa microbiology
Polymorphism, Genetic genetics
beta-Defensins genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- German
- ISSN :
- 1439-7803
- Volume :
- 50
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23150110
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1312865