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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
07:10
A Fluorescence-based Method to Study Bacterial Gene Regulation in Infected Tissues
Published on: February 19, 2019
RNase 7 contributes to the cutaneous defense against Enterococcus faecium.
Bente Köten1, Maren Simanski, Regine Gläser
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
Plos One
|July 31, 2009
Summary
Ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) is a key antimicrobial protein in human skin. This study shows RNase 7 actively kills Enterococcus faecium, protecting skin from colonization.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human skin employs antimicrobial proteins like ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) for rapid defense against pathogens.
- Enterococcus faecium is a significant bacterium that can cause skin infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of RNase 7 in the skin's innate immune response against Enterococcus faecium.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of RNase 7 expression in keratinocytes using real-time PCR and ELISA.
- Immunohistochemistry to determine RNase 7 localization in skin layers.
- Assessing RNase 7 activity against E. faecium under varying pH and salt conditions.
- Evaluating the contribution of RNase 7 to the antimicrobial activity of skin extracts using specific antibodies.
Main Results:
- Primary keratinocytes express high levels of RNase 7, localized throughout the epidermis, particularly in differentiated layers.
- RNase 7 retains activity against E. faecium at low pH and high salt concentrations.
- Antimicrobial activity against E. faecium does not require RNase 7's enzymatic function.
- Neutralizing RNase 7 in skin extracts significantly reduced their E. faecium-killing capacity.
Conclusions:
- RNase 7 is secreted by keratinocytes and contributes to the killing of E. faecium in skin extracts.
- RNase 7 plays a crucial role in protecting human skin against E. faecium colonization.
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