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Developmental expression and distribution of sheep beta-defensin-2
David K Meyerholz1, Jack M Gallup, Branka M Grubor
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, 2740 Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA. dmeyerho@iastate.edu
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|September 13, 2003
Summary
Sheep beta-defensin-2 (SBD-2) is most abundant in the intestines of young sheep. Its tissue distribution and expression decrease significantly with age, particularly in adult sheep.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary immunology
- Innate immunity
- Antimicrobial peptides
Background:
- Sheep beta-defensin-2 (SBD-2) is an antimicrobial peptide crucial for innate immunity.
- Understanding SBD-2 ontogeny is vital for assessing immune development and function in sheep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental changes in SBD-2 mRNA and peptide expression in sheep.
- To determine the tissue distribution of SBD-2 in fetal, neonatal, and adult sheep.
Main Methods:
- Real-time PCR was used to quantify SBD-2 mRNA levels.
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect SBD-2 peptide localization.
- Selected tissues from sheep of different age groups were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Fetal and neonatal lambs exhibited significantly higher SBD-2 tissue distribution compared to adult sheep.
- Intestines consistently showed SBD-2 mRNA expression across all ages, while extra-intestinal expression was limited.
- SBD-2 peptide was primarily found in intestinal crypts and villi bases, with decreased expression in adult sheep.
Conclusions:
- SBD-2 expression is primarily concentrated in the intestinal tract of sheep.
- SBD-2 tissue distribution and expression levels decrease progressively with increasing age and maturity.
- These findings highlight the developmental regulation of SBD-2 in sheep's innate immune system.