Title |
Defensins as a Mechanism of Host Defense and Innate Immunity
|
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Published in |
Nihon Ronen Igakkai zasshi Japanese journal of geriatrics, January 2001
|
DOI | 10.3143/geriatrics.38.440 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
T Tomita, T Nagase |
Abstract |
Antimicrobial peptides, including beta-defensins, are thought to be effective agents against opportunistic infections. In humans, three beta-defensins have been identified. The first human beta-defensin, hBD-1, is predominantly expressed in epithelia of the urogenital tract and has been reported to be constitutive. The second and third human beta-defensins, hBD-2 and hBD-3, were isolated from psoriatic skin and found to be predominantly expressed in skin and respiratory tract. Of note, the hBD-2 gene expression is inducible by various proinflammatory agents such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, LPS, bacteria, and yeasts. It has been shown that LPS-induced expression of hBD-2 in human tracheobronchial epithelial cells requires CD14, which may complex with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to ultimately activate NF-kappa B. In addition, beta-defensins have been recently reported to promote immune responses by recruiting dendritic and T cells. Defensins may play a key role in the mechanism of host defense and innate immunity. These defensins, including hBD-2, might provide a new therapeutic approach to infectious diseases. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Unknown | 5 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Researcher | 2 | 40% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 1 | 20% |
Student > Bachelor | 1 | 20% |
Other | 1 | 20% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 2 | 40% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 1 | 20% |
Neuroscience | 1 | 20% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 1 | 20% |