Human β-Defensins in different states of diseases of the tonsilla palatina

Abstract

Tonsils are believed to play an important role during the development of the immune system. Although diseases of the tonsils like hypertrophy of the tonsil, acute tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess are common, little is known about the underlying pathophysiology. Little is known about antimicrobial peptides produced by the tonsils. The human beta-Defensins 1-3 (hBD1-3) are naturally produced "antibiotics" with antimicrobial activity against different bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The objective of the study was to determine the concentrations for hBD1-3 in different states of diseases of the tonsilla palatina. After tonsillectomy and tissue fixation in formalin, total proteins were isolated from 38 samples (11 hypertrophy of the tonsil, 8 acute tonsillitis, 11 chronic tonsillitis, 8 peritonsillar abscesses). The protein concentration was determined and ELISA for hBD1-3 were performed. We also conducted immunofluorescence double stainings for the co-expression of streptococcus group A and hBD1-3. We could verify a significant difference for the mean hBD1 score of the acute tonsillitis in comparison to the hyperplastic tonsil, the chronic tonsillitis, and the peritonsillar abscess. There was no statistically significant difference in the hBD2 and hBD3 concentrations between the four groups. The immunofluorescence stainings showed that hBD1-3 and the streptococcus group A in the same place. We conclude that in the hyperplastic tonsilla palatina hBD1-3 play an important role. The mouth is constantly faced with a high bacterial load. During a tonsillitis, the hBD1 concentration is lower than in the non-acute infected tonsil because hBD1 is being consumed for fighting the bacterial infection. But, the existence of hBD1-3 in the tonsil cannot prevent the tonsillitis to become chronic.

Streptococcus pyogenes infection of tonsil explants is associated with a human β‐defensin 1 response from control but not recurrent acute tonsillitis patients

“…1A–D). HBD1 expression was detected in the lymph samples of a number of the RAT patients, consistent with previous observations (Schwaab et al. , 2010) although these results may have reflected the contamination of such samples with epithelial material.…”

“…Immunohistochemical data (Ball et al. , 2007) and HBD1 peptide concentrations measured in tonsils removed from subjects suffering from acute tonsillitis (Schwaab et al. , 2010) also suggest that HBD1 is reduced during tonsillitis, which supports HBD1 as being significant in the tonsillar epithelial defences (Prado‐Montes de Oca, 2010).…”

Reduced tonsillar expression of human β-defensin 1, 2 and 3 in allergic rhinitis

“…() have demonstrated high levels of mRNA encoding HBD2 and HBD3 in tonsils with no significant difference between idiopathic hypertrophic tonsillar disease and recurrent tonsillitis. Another group found presence of HBD1‐3 in tonsils and that the concentrations were similar during different states of tonsillar disease (Schwaab et al ., ).…”

“…In the airways, the epithelium provides a barrier to entry of pathogens through tight junctions and mucociliary functions, but also through the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) (Ball et al ., ; Schwaab et al ., , Tieu et al ., ). Their mechanisms of action include a variable degree of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and some enveloped viruses (Bals et al ., ).…”

Distinct Distribution of Immunocytes in a Retropharyngeal Lymphadenopathy Associated with Kawasaki Disease: A Case Study Compared with Tonsillitis

“…The tonsilla palatina is a primitive lymphoid organ, where the innate and acquired immunocytes interacts in the milieu on the direct contact to environment. The lymphoid tissues are overloaded with commensal bacteria [17]. The characteristic symptoms, age distribution, seasonality, occurrence of community outbreaks, and epidemic cycles of KD have long suggested specific infectious agents [18,19,20].…”