Localization of expression of human beta defensin-1 in the pancreas and kidney |
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| Authors: | Denni Schnapp Colm J Reid Ann Harris |
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| Institution: | 1. Paediatric Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital,Oxford OX3 9DS, U.K.
D. Schnapp and C. J. Reid contributed equally to these studies.;2. Paediatric Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, John Radcliffe Hospital,Oxford OX3 9DS, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | Defensins are antimicrobial peptides which play a key role in innate immunity. High levels of human beta defensin-1 (hBD-1) have previously been detected in the kidney and pancreas, but the cell-specific location of hBD-1 mRNA has not been determined. The expression of hBD-1 mRNA has been examined in fetal and adult pancreas and kidney by mRNA in situ hybridization. In fetal pancreas, hBD-1 expression was detected in the developing acini and in adult pancreas in the acini, but not in the pancreatic ducts. In both fetal and adult kidney, hBD-1 expression was detected in the collecting ducts and in the loops of Henle in adult kidney. Expression of hBD-1 mRNA in the pancreas and kidney from early development and in the acini of the adult pancreas, rather than in the pancreatic ducts, may indicate that in these tissues, hBD-1 fulfils physiological functions in addition to host defence. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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