Secretion of Microbicidal Alpha-defensins by Intestinal Paneth Cells in Response to Bacteria

Overview

Journal Nat Immunol

Date 2001 Mar 15

PMID 11248802

Citations 404

Authors

T Ayabe

D P Satchell

C L Wilson

W C Parks

M E Selsted

A J Ouellette

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Paneth cells in mouse small intestinal crypts secrete granules rich in microbicidal peptides when exposed to bacteria or bacterial antigens. The dose-dependent secretion occurs within minutes and alpha-defensins, or cryptdins, account for 70% of the released bactericidal peptide activity. Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, lipid A and muramyl dipeptide elicit cryptdin secretion. Live fungi and protozoa, however, do not stimulate degranulation. Thus intestinal Paneth cells contribute to innate immunity by sensing bacteria and bacterial antigens, and discharge microbicidal peptides at effective concentrations accordingly.

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