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Human colonic mucus is a reservoir for antimicrobial peptides.
- Source :
-
Journal of Crohn's & colitis [J Crohns Colitis] 2013 Dec; Vol. 7 (12), pp. e652-64. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jun 17. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Background and Aims: To prevent bacterial adherence and translocation, the colonic mucosa is covered by a protecting mucus layer and the epithelium synthesizes antimicrobial peptides. The present qualitative study investigated the contents and interaction of these peptides in and with rectal mucus.<br />Methods: Rectal mucus extracts were analyzed for antimicrobial activity and screened with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, Dot blot and immunohistochemistry for antimicrobial peptides. In addition, binding of AMPs to mucins was investigated by Western blot and enzyme-linked lectin assays.<br />Results: In functional tests the mucus layer exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity. We detected 11 antimicrobial peptides in mucus extracts from healthy persons including the defensins HBD-1 and -3, the cathelicidin LL-37, ubiquitin, lysozyme, histones, high mobility group nucleosome-binding domain-containing protein 2, ubiquicidin and other ribosomal proteins. AMPs were bound by mucins but this was demonstrated to be reversible and inhibition of antibacterial activity was limited.<br />Conclusion: These findings indicate that epithelial antimicrobial peptides are retained in the intestinal mucus layer without losing their efficacy. Thus, the mucus layer and its composition provide an attractive drug target to restore antimicrobial barrier function in intestinal diseases.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- Bacteroides fragilis growth & development
Candida albicans growth & development
Cathelicidins analysis
Cathelicidins metabolism
Defensins analysis
Defensins metabolism
Enterococcus faecalis growth & development
Escherichia coli growth & development
Flow Cytometry
HMGN2 Protein analysis
HMGN2 Protein metabolism
Histones analysis
Histones metabolism
Humans
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
Mucins metabolism
Mucus metabolism
Muramidase analysis
Muramidase metabolism
Ribosomal Proteins analysis
Ribosomal Proteins metabolism
Staphylococcus aureus growth & development
Ubiquitin analysis
Ubiquitin metabolism
Anti-Infective Agents analysis
Intestinal Mucosa chemistry
Mucus chemistry
Peptides analysis
Peptides metabolism
Rectum chemistry
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1876-4479
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of Crohn's & colitis
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23787054
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crohns.2013.05.006