Cathelicidin signaling via the Toll-like receptor protects against colitis in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Cathelicidin (encoded by Camp) is an antimicrobial peptide in the innate immune system. We examined whether macrophages express cathelicidin in colons of mice with experimental colitis and patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and we investigated its signaling mechanisms.

Methods

Quantitative, real-time, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), bacterial 16S PCR, immunofluorescence, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) analyses were performed. Colitis was induced in mice using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS); levels of cathelicidin were measured in human primary monocytes.

Results

Expression of cathelicidin increased in the inflamed colonic mucosa of mice with DSS-induced colitis compared with controls. Cathelicidin expression localized t

SUBMITTER: Koon HW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3199285 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature