The antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is expressed by keratinocytes in condyloma acuminatum and verruca vulgaris.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

LL-37 is a peptide belonging to the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides. Recent investigations have suggested that the expression of antimicrobial peptides is an important mechanism for resistance to microbial infection.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine whether LL-37 is expressed in papillomavirus-infected epidermis from patients with condyloma acuminatum or verruca vulgaris.

METHODS:

Biopsy specimens from 3 patients with condyloma and 2 patients with verruca vulgaris and 6 normal skin samples were studied by immunostaining with an antibody specific to LL-37 and control rabbit serum. Western blots were performed on skin extracts from normal skin and verrucae.

RESULTS:

A large increase in the expression of LL-37 was seen within keratinocytes of all involved samples and in the extracts of verrucae analyzed by Western blot.

CONCLUSION:

This study shows the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is induced within the epidermis during the development of verruca vulgaris. This expression represents a previously unknown immunologic response to papillomavirus infection and may represent an important step in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

• Authors: Kimberly Conner, Karen Nern, Jennifer Rudisill, Terrence O'Grady, Richard L Gallo
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 47 Issue 3 Pg. 347-50 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0190-9622 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12196742 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
• Cathelicidins

Topics

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides (analysis)
• Blotting, Western
• Cathelicidins
• Condylomata Acuminata (metabolism)
• Epidermis (chemistry)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Keratinocytes (chemistry)
• Warts (metabolism)