Abstract
To evaluate KGF and human beta defensin-4 (HBD-4) levels produced by dermic fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultivated from burned patients' skin samples. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts of 10 patients (four major burns, four minor burns and two controls) were primarily cultivated according to standard methods. HBD-4 and KGF genes were analyzed by quantitative PCR. In fibroblasts, KGF gene expression was 220±80 and 33.33±6.67 (M±SD; N=4), respectively for major and minor burn groups. In keratinocytes, KGF gene expression was 11.2±1.9 and 3.45±0.37 (M±SD; N=4), respectively for major and minor burn groups. In fibroblasts, HBD-4 gene expression was 15.0±4.0 and 11.5±0.5 (M±SD; N=4), respectively for major and minor burn. In keratinocyte, HBD-4 gene expression was 0.0±0.0 and 13.4±4.8 (M±SD; N=4), respectively for major and minor burn. KGF expression was increased in burn patient fibroblasts compared to control group. In keratinocytes culture, KGF suppression is inversely proportional to burn extension; it is active and increased in major burn but decreased in minor burn. HBD-4 expression was increased in fibroblasts and decreased in keratinocytes from all burned patients.
Highlights
The high incidence of infection among burn patients is a major concern in its clinical evolution, which is directly related to morbidity and mortality rates of this group
HBD-3 shows strong bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA when its expression is induced in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts[5]
There is no difference between expression levels among the minor and major burn groups and there is only a tendency to significance with p=0.081
Summary
The high incidence of infection among burn patients is a major concern in its clinical evolution, which is directly related to morbidity and mortality rates of this group. Antimicrobial peptides, components of innate immune response, protect the organism by the activation of inflammatory cells or inactivating pathogen action directly. The increased expression in these peptides by the epithelial cells improves hosts resistance against microbial infection. Among the great diversity of antimicrobial peptides involved in the inflammatory response, we highlight here the defensin family. HBD-4 presents a high antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa when expressed by genetically modified primary epidermal keratinocytes[4]. HBD-3 shows strong bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA when its expression is induced in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts[5]
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