AIM: To determine if beta defensins are expressed in the anterior segment of the eye and to determine the temporal pattern of expression using a real time semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: Ocular tissue (corneal epithelium, conjunctiva, iris, and lens capsule) was collected from 23 patients undergoing surgery. Serial corneal or conjunctival impression cytology was performed on a separate group of 10 patients undergoing corneal tunnel phacoemulsification or trabeculectomy. The samples were analysed for beta defensin mRNA by semiquantitative RT-PCR and the mRNA standardised for cell numbers. RESULTS: RT-PCR amplified beta defensin 1 mRNA from all lens capsule (six) and corneal (five) samples and all but one of the conjunctival (six) and iris samples (six). beta Defensin 2 mRNA was amplified from three of five corneal, two of six conjunctival, and none of the iris or capsule samples. The impression cytology samples demonstrated a decline in defensin expression over the three time points studied. There were no false positive results from either the no-RT or negative control samples. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study confirms that natural antibacterial peptides are expressed in the anterior segment of the eye. There appears to be a pattern to the expression with inducible beta defensin 2 not expressed intraocularly and higher levels of beta defensin 1 than beta defensin 2 expressed in extraocular tissue. The implication is that beta defensin 1 is constitutively produced in ocular tissues and represents a key component of the innate immune system.
AIM: To determine if beta defensins are expressed in the anterior segment of the eye and to determine the temporal pattern of expression using a real time semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: Ocular tissue (corneal epithelium, conjunctiva, iris, and lens capsule) was collected from 23 patients undergoing surgery. Serial corneal or conjunctival impression cytology was performed on a separate group of 10 patients undergoing corneal tunnel phacoemulsification or trabeculectomy. The samples were analysed for beta defensin mRNA by semiquantitative RT-PCR and the mRNA standardised for cell numbers. RESULTS: RT-PCR amplified beta defensin 1 mRNA from all lens capsule (six) and corneal (five) samples and all but one of the conjunctival (six) and iris samples (six). beta Defensin 2 mRNA was amplified from three of five corneal, two of six conjunctival, and none of the iris or capsule samples. The impression cytology samples demonstrated a decline in defensin expression over the three time points studied. There were no false positive results from either the no-RT or negative control samples. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study confirms that natural antibacterial peptides are expressed in the anterior segment of the eye. There appears to be a pattern to the expression with inducible beta defensin 2 not expressed intraocularly and higher levels of beta defensin 1 than beta defensin 2 expressed in extraocular tissue. The implication is that beta defensin 1 is constitutively produced in ocular tissues and represents a key component of the innate immune system.
Authors: P K Singh; H P Jia; K Wiles; J Hesselberth; L Liu; B A Conway; E P Greenberg; E V Valore; M J Welsh; T Ganz; B F Tack; P B McCray Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 1998-12-08 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Fabian Garreis; Thomas Schlorf; Dieter Worlitzsch; Philipp Steven; Lars Bräuer; Kristin Jäger; Friedrich P Paulsen Journal: Histochem Cell Biol Date: 2010-06-05 Impact factor: 4.304
Authors: Y Jerold Gordon; Ling C Huang; Eric G Romanowski; Kathleen A Yates; Rita J Proske; Alison M McDermott Journal: Curr Eye Res Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 2.424