Neutrophil elastase up-regulates human beta-defensin-2 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) gene expression is induced by tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and lipopolysaccharide. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of neutrophil elastase (NE), a major pro-inflammatory protease, on HBD-2 expression. HBD-2 gene expression was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the human bronchial epithelial cell line 16HBE14o- and primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. Optimal HBD-2 expression was induced with 100 nM NE. Using a HBD-2-luciferase reporter construct, luciferase activity increased significantly in 16HBE14o- cells following incubation with NE. An increase in HBD-2 protein expression was observed in primary NHBE cells after incubation with NE as assessed by laser scanning cytometry. In conclusion, NE up-regulates HBD-2 expression in bronchial epithelial cells.