Concentrations of α- and β-defensins in plasma of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Elevation of circulating alpha-defensins levels is suggestive of their physiopathological roles in IBD. Plasma HNP 1-3 concentrations may be an indicator for CD activity and their association with CRP and TNF-alpha supports a possible association with the inflammatory process.

Alpha-Defensin DEFA1A3 Gene Copy Number Elevation in Danish Crohn’s Disease Patients

“…The other well-characterized alpha-defensins 1-3 are primarily found in neutrophilic granulocytes that migrate from the bone marrow to the site of inflammation where they exert their various effects in the acute inflammatory response, including cytokine activation and stimulation of macrophages [15]. One study correlated high levels of alphadefensins 1-3 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [16], and another with IBD [17]. Furthermore, a study has revealed alpha-defensin expression in colonic and ileal epithelial cells during active inflammation in CD [18].…”

Defensins in Ulcerative Colitis

“…HD-5 mRNA expression is enhanced in both idiopathic and nonidiopathic inflammatory states of the large bowel, whereas HD-6 is specifically related to CD and UC. Immunohistochemical staining has confirmed that the presence of HD-5 in colonic epithelium may be of importance in maintaining the mucosal barrier and controlling microbial invasion in IBD (Yamaguchi et al, 2009). …”

“…HNP-1, -2, and -3, NO and MDA might have synergistic effects on colonic inflammation (Cunliffe et al, 2002(Cunliffe et al, , 2003. These HNPs are also significantly increased in sera of IBD patients compared with controls, and being significantly correlated with CD activity index, peripheral white blood cell counts, serum CRP values and TNF-levels (Yamaguchi et al, 2009). …”

Antimicrobial and antiviral effects of human defensins: pathogenetic value and prospective application to medicinal therapy

“…Было установлено, что увеличение количества дефенсинов HNP-1-3 совместимо с количеством нейтрофилов в клетках слизистой оболочки при IBD, но не с количеством нейтрофилов в крови пациен-тов. Уровень дефенсинов HNP-1-3 в энтероцитах отражал степень воспаления кишечника [208]. Од-нако не ясно, приводит ли кишечное воспаление к экспрессии этих дефенсинов в клетках эпителия, или их количество повышалось в энтероцитах при экскреции от поступивших в очаг нейтрофилов.…”