Detection of α-defensin in eosinophils in helminth-infected mouse model

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science

Afia KHATUN¹  Masashi SAKURAI² 

[1] Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan;North Lab, 8-35 Hondori, 2-chome kita, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 003-0027, Japan

关键词: α-defensin;    eosinophil;    helminth;    murine;   

DOI  :  10.1292/jvms.18-0601

学科分类：兽医学

来源: Japanese Society of Veterinary Science

【 摘 要 】

α-defensin is a potent antimicrobial peptide secreted from intestinal mucosal epithelial cells, such as Paneth cells, and affects not only bacteria but also parasites and fungi. Recently, human eosinophils have also been shown to produce α-defensin, but no studies have been done on other animals. In this study, we attempted to detect α-defensin protein in mouse eosinophils infiltrating the intestinal mucosa during a helminth infection using Zamboni fixation and immunohistochemistry. Most of the eosinophils infiltrating the intestinal mucosa during helminth infection were positive for α-defensin. The expression level of α-defensin mRNA was 50 fold that in the control. Meanwhile, the number of Paneth cells was doubled, and their α-defensin fluorescence intensity was increased. These results suggested that eosinophils are also important producers of α-defensin, such as Paneth cells in mice, and that α-defensin produced from eosinophils might be involved in defensive mechanisms against helminths. Moreover, the experimental system used in this study is a good model to study the generation of α-defensin by eosinophils.

【 授权许可】

Unknown