Increased serum antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and HBD-2 combined with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 deficiency in infants with

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Sihu Chen1, Wanding Ye2, Weikun Zheng3

  • 1Department of Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China. 155190577@qq.com.

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|November 11, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with pertussis often have vitamin D deficiency and higher levels of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) like LL-37 and human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2). Despite low vitamin D, infants maintain AMPs for fighting pertussis infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Malnutrition is common in children with serious infections.
  • Vitamin D plays a role in immune response via antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] and AMPs [LL-37, human β-defensin 2 (HBD-2)] expression in infants with pertussis.

Main Methods:

  • Serum levels of 25(OH)D3, LL-37, and HBD-2 were measured in 116 infants with pertussis and 50 healthy controls.
  • Infants were aged 1-12 months.

Main Results:

  • Pertussis patients had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D3 levels and higher vitamin D deficiency rates compared to controls.
  • Serum LL-37 and HBD-2 levels were significantly elevated in pertussis patients.
  • No correlation was found between 25(OH)D3 and LL-37 or HBD-2 levels.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with pertussis commonly exhibit vitamin D deficiency alongside elevated LL-37 and HBD-2.
  • Despite low vitamin D, infants with pertussis maintain high AMP levels to combat infection.
Abstract

Keywords:
Vitamin Dantimicrobial peptides LL-37human beta-defensinhuman β-defensinpertussis

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