Abstract | BACKGROUND: Beta-defensin-2 (BD-2) plays an important role in host defense against pathogenic microbe challenge by its direct antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory functions. The present study aimed to determine whether genetic up-regulation of rat BD-2 (rBD-2) could ameliorate chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in rats. METHODS: RESULTS: The overexpression of rBD-2 resulted in a significant increase in animal survival rate (at 3 days p.i.), a significant decrease in bacterial loads in the lungs (at 3 and 7 days p.i.), and significantly milder lung pathology. In addition, the overexpression of rBD-2 led to increased infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), and elevated protein expression of cytokines/ chemokines (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, KC and MIP-2) at the early stage of infection (at 3 days p.i.), at the same time as being dramatically decreased at the later stage of infection (at 7 days p.i.). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic up-regulation of rBD-2 increased animal survival rate, and reduced bacterial loads in lungs after bacterial infection. The overexpression of rBD-2 also modulated the production of several cytokines/ chemokines and increased PMN recruitment at the early stage of infection. Our findings indicate that the enhancement of BD-2 may be an efficacious intervention for chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection.
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Authors | Qiongjie Hu, Peng Zuo, Bing Shao, Shuo Yang, Guopeng Xu, Fen Lan, Xiaoxia Lu, Weining Xiong, Yongjian Xu, Shengdao Xiong |
Journal | The journal of gene medicine
(J Gene Med)
Vol. 12
Issue 3
Pg. 276-86
(Mar 2010)
ISSN: 1521-2254 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 20131335
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Chemokines
- Cytokines
- beta-Defensins
- beta-defensin-2, rat
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Topics |
- Animals
- Chemokines
(biosynthesis)
- Chronic Disease
- Cytokines
(biosynthesis)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Transfer Techniques
- Genetic Therapy
(methods)
- Genetic Vectors
(administration & dosage)
- Pneumonia, Bacterial
(immunology, pathology, therapy)
- Pseudomonas Infections
(immunology, pathology, therapy)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- beta-Defensins
(genetics)
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