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Human β-Defensin 2 Induces Extracellular Accumulation of Adenosine in Escherichia coli
- Source :
- Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; June 2013, Vol. 57 Issue: 9 p4387-4393, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- ABSTRACTHuman β-defensins are host defense peptides performing antimicrobial as well as immunomodulatory functions. The present study investigated whether treatment of Escherichia coliwith human β-defensin 2 could generate extracellular molecules of relevance for immune regulation. Mass spectrometry analysis of bacterial supernatants detected the accumulation of purine nucleosides triggered by β-defensin 2 treatment. Other cationic antimicrobial peptides tested presented variable outcomes with regard to extracellular adenosine accumulation; human β-defensin 2 was the most efficient at inducing this response. Structural and biochemical evidence indicated that a mechanism other than plain lysis was involved in the observed phenomenon. By use of isotope (13C) labeling, extracellular adenosine was found to be derived from preexistent RNA, and a direct interaction between the peptide and bacterial nucleic acid was documented for the first time for β-defensin 2. Taken together, the data suggest that defensin activity on a bacterial target may alter local levels of adenosine, a well-known immunomodulator influencing inflammatory processes.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00664804 and 10986596
- Volume :
- 57
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs30847433
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.00820-13