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    Korean J Urol. 2007 Apr;48(4):439-443. Korean.
    Published online Apr 30, 2007.
    https://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2007.48.4.439
    Copyright © 2007 The Korean Urological Association
    Original Article

    Modulation of the Host Antimicrobial Peptide (Human β-defensin-1, -2) Expression of Vaginal Squamous Epithelial Cells with using 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone

    Min Su Kim, Yu Chan Kim, Sang Chul Kim and Soon Chul Myung
      • Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
    • Corresponding author (Email: uromyung@yahoo.co.kr )
    Received December 15, 2006; Accepted February 22, 2007.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    In mammals, α and β-defensins are antimicrobial peptides that are expressed in various epithelial and phagocytic cells. Human β-defensin-1 and -2 (hBD-1, hBD-2) have recently been shown to be expressed in various epithelial cells. Vaginal mucosa can be a target of vaginitis and the site of uropathogens' colonization that precedes urinary tract infections. Therefore, innate host defense mediators like antimicrobial peptides in the vaginal mucosa are important. Estrogen and progesterone receptors have been shown to be expressed in the vaginal squamous epithelium. Sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone may cause vaginal atrophy or susceptibility to uropathogens. So, we performed this study to investigate the expression patterns of hBD-1 and -2 mRNA in vaginal squamous epithelium (VSE) with using lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 17β-estradiol and progesterone.

    Materials and Methods

    Normal VSE cells that were retrieved from vaginal tissue during vaginoplasty were primarily cultured in keratinocyte growth medium and they we allowed to undergo their 3rd passage. Modulation of the expressions of hBD-1 and -2 mRNA by various stimuli (LPS 0.5 µg/ml, E2 2nM, P 1 µM) was measured by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

    Results

    HBD-1 and -2 were constitutively expressed in the normal VSE cell lines, but the hBD-2 expression was not significant. A marked increase of the constitutive expression of hBD-2 mRNA was observed upon stimulation with LPS, but not upon stimulation with E2. A moderate decrease of the constitutive expression of hBD-2 mRNA upon stimulation with LPS was observed with administering progesterone.

    Conclusions

    These expressions of hBD-2 mRNA may have important roles in the innate host defense of the urogenital area. Artificial intake of progesterone may lead to susceptibility via a decrease of defensins.

    Keywords
    Vagina; Epithelial cells; Defensins

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Expression of human β-defensin-1 mRNA. (A) RT-PCR analysis in the presence of the control (1), and 17β-estradiol 2nM (2), LPS 0.5 µg/ml (3), 17β-estradiol 2nM+LPS 0.5 µg/ml (4) after incubation for 12 hours in the vaginal squamous epithelial cells: the expression of hBD-1 mRNA was constitutive, but it showed no difference from (1)-(4). RT-PCR: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, LPS: lipopolysaccharide. (B) RT-PCR analysis in the presence of the control (1), and Progesteron 1 µM (2), LPS 0.5 µg/ml (3) and Progesteron 1 µM+LPS 0.5 µg/ml (4) after incubation for 12 hours in vaginal squamous epithelial cells: the expression of hBD-1 mRNA shown no difference from (1)-(4).

    Fig. 2
    Expression in human β-defensin-2 mRNA. (A) RT-PCR analysis of the presence of control (1) and 17β-estradiol 2nM (2), LPS 0.5 µg/ml (3) and 17β-estradiol 2nM+LPS 0.5 µg/ml (4) after incubation for 12 hours in the vaginal squamous epithelial cells: the constitutive expression of hBD-2 mRNA was insignificant and it showed a marked increase in (2), and there was no difference between (3) and (4). RT-PCR: reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, LPS: lipopolysaccharide. (B) RT-PCR analysis in the presence of the control (1), and Progesterone 1 µM (2), LPS 0.5 µg/ml (3) and Progesterone 1 µM+LPS 0.5 µg/ml (4) after incubation for 12 hours in the vaginal squamous epithelial cells: the expression of hBD-2 mRNA in (4) was less than in (3).

    Tables

    Table 1
    Primer

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    MeSH Terms
    Atrophy
    Cell Line
    Colon
    Defensins
    Epithelial Cells*
    Epithelium
    Estrogens
    Gonadal Steroid Hormones
    Humans
    Keratinocytes
    Mammals
    Mucous Membrane
    Peptides
    Phagocytes
    Polymerase Chain Reaction
    Progesterone*
    RNA, Messenger
    Receptors, Progesterone
    Reverse Transcription
    Urinary Tract Infections
    Vagina
    Vaginitis
    beta-Defensins
    Metrics
    Share
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