Functional analysis of the host defense peptide Human Beta Defensin-1: new insight into its potential role in cancer.

ABSTRACT: Although it is known that innate immunity is key for protecting the body against foreign agents such as bacteria, little is known about elements of the innate immune system that have anti-tumor activity. Human Beta Defensin-1 (hBD-1), an important component of the innate immune response, is lost at high frequencies in malignant prostatic tissue, while high levels of expression are maintained in adjacent benign regions. In prostate carcinoma, frequent genetic alterations occur in the 8p22-23 region and several studies indicate there may be multiple tumor suppressor genes present within this region. The high incidence of loss of hBD-1 expression in prostate cancer, along with its chromosomal location of 8p23.2, raised the possibility that it may play a role in tumor suppression. To gain insi

SUBMITTER: Bullard RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2131727 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature