Alterations in Immune-Related Defensin Alpha 4 (DEFA4) Gene Expression in Health and Disease

Abstract

Defensin Alpha 4 (DEFA4) is the fourth member of the Alpha Defensins family known as a part of antimicrobial peptides in the innate immune system. DEFA4 has a strong preference to kill Gram-negative bacteria more than Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, DEFA4 exhibits antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. Moreover, DEFA4 can act as an inhibitor of corticosterone production (Corticostatin). On the other hand, alternations in DEFA4 gene expression have been reported in different disorders such as diseases related to inflammation and immunity dysfunction, brain-related disorders, and various cancers. The up-regulation of DEFA4 appears to be involved in the malignant transformation or aggressive form of cancer. Interestingly, the modified version of DEFA4 fragment (1–11) was potent and efficient against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review provides a general background abSaudi Arabia out DEFA4 and sheds light on changes in DEFA4 gene expression in different diseases. The paper also discusses other aspects related to DEFA4 as an antimicrobial and antiviral agent. The research was conducted based on available articles obtained from databases starting from 1988 to the present.

Isolation of lymph shows dysregulation of STAT3 and CREB pathways in the spleen and liver during leukemia development in a rat model

“…Fibronectin is involved in STAT3 signaling (activates signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3) known to be involved in leukemic development 13,14 . The antimicrobial peptide defensin alpha 4 is expressed in immune cells and epithelial cells and involved in diseases related to inflammation, immunity dysfunction and various cancers 15 …”

“…13,14 The antimicrobial peptide defensin alpha 4 is expressed in immune cells and epithelial cells and involved in diseases related to inflammation, immunity dysfunction and various cancers. 15 Figure 3 shows the proteomic pattern of all identified proteins with different abundance in leukemic spleen lymph compared with control spleen lymph (p < .05, Student's t-test). The analyses revealed that the abundance of 25 of 26 proteins was increased (twofold to F I G U R E 2 High-resolution size-exclusion chromatography of intact and immunodepleted plasma and spleen lymph.…”

Deciphering novel common gene signatures for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus by integrative analysis of transcriptomic profiles

“…The Defensin Alpha4 gene (DEFA4) is a member of the alpha-defensin family, a part of antimicrobial peptides in the innate immune system. Variations in DEFA4 gene expression have been reported in different disorders such as diseases related to inflammation and immunity dysfunction, brain-related disorders, and various cancers [45].…”