The host defense peptide beta-defensin 1 confers protection against Bordetella pertussis in newborn piglets.

ABSTRACT: Innate immunity plays an important role in protection against respiratory infections in humans and animals. Host defense peptides such as beta-defensins represent major components of innate immunity. We recently developed a novel porcine model of pertussis, an important respiratory disease of young children and infants worldwide. Here, we investigated the role of porcine beta-defensin 1 (pBD-1), a porcine defensin homologue of human beta-defensin 2, in conferring protection against respiratory infection with Bordetella pertussis. In this model, newborn piglets were fully susceptible to infection and developed severe bronchopneumonia. In contrast, piglets older than 4 weeks of age were protected against infection with B. pertussis. Protection was associated with the expression of pBD-1 in t

SUBMITTER: Elahi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1418884 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature