Abstract | BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The mechanisms that protect female upper genital tract from ascending infection by microbes present in vagina are only partially understood. It is expected that epithelial cells in mucosal surfaces and their secretions directly interfere with microbial colonization and invasion. This study was aimed to demonstrate the expression of 2 kDa antimicrobial peptide which was identified and purified from female genital tract tissues using chromatographic techniques. METHODS: Low molecular weight proteins were isolated from human female reproductive tract tissues obtained from premenopausal women. Antimicrobial activity of these LMW proteins was assessed against different reproductive tract pathogens viz., Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Group B streptococcus, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherechia coli and Candida albicans. The expression of these peptides were also documented in reproductive tract tissues with the help of hyperimmune sera raised against the rabbits. The purified peptide was characterized by N-terminal sequencing. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that 2 kDa peptide was expressed in the stratified squamous epithelial cells of the ectocervix while it was absent in columnar epithelial cells of upper genital tract. Upregulation of the expression of this peptide was observed in patients of chronic non-specific cervicitis and acute on chronic cervicitis. This purified antimicrobial peptide also showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against different reproductive tract pathogens. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Sarita Sharma, Sunil Sethi, Rajendra Prasad, Palash Samanta, Arvind Rajwanshi, Sarla Malhotra, Meera Sharma |
Journal | The Indian journal of medical research
(Indian J Med Res)
Vol. 134
Issue 5
Pg. 679-87
(Nov 2011)
ISSN: 0971-5916 [Print] India |
PMID | 22199108
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Infective Agents
- Peptides
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Topics |
- Animals
- Anti-Infective Agents
(chemistry, isolation & purification)
- Candida albicans
(pathogenicity)
- Escherichia coli
(pathogenicity)
- Female
- Gardnerella vaginalis
(pathogenicity)
- Gene Expression
- Genitalia, Female
(chemistry)
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
(pathogenicity)
- Peptides
(chemistry, isolation & purification)
- Rabbits
- Reproductive Tract Infections
(microbiology, therapy)
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