Uterine beta defensin plays an important role in innate immunity of dairy cows’ in order to clear the infection and resolve the inflammation and helps for a normal uterine involution after calving. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different beta defensin genotypes on acute phase proteins and leukogram alterations before and after treatment in dairy cows suffering endometritis, in order to identify the best genotype. Fifty one Iranian dairy Holstein cows with clinical endometritis were chosen at cleaning test time (30-40 days after parturition). Cows were taken usual herd treatment and examined again two weeks after. Blood samples including whole blood (containing anticoagulant) and blood without anticoagulant (in order to separate serum) were taken from cows with clinical endometritis at both times (n=102). Hematological tests and genotyping with RFLP PCR (on the basis of beta defensin gene) were done. Based on a SNP (C/T) at position 2239, three different genotype patterns CC, CT and TT were observed. Alterations of serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations before and after treatment were significantly different between cows with and without Allele T (P = 0.04). Cows with Allele T significantly showed increased SAA concentrations compare to cows without Allele T. Other factors showed no significant differences between different genotypes.

Antioxidant alpha lipoic acid and β-defensin 1 protein may have a positive effect on the quality of sperm parameters. In this study, the effect of sperm incubation with alpha lipoic acid antioxidant and β-defensin 1 protein were assessed on sperm motility and viability at different times. In this experimental study, routine semen analysis was carried out on 59 infertile men according to the World Health Organization criteria (2010). Semen samples were processed by density gradient centrifugation. Then, samples were divided into three groups: control, processed semen sample treated with alpha-lipoic acid, and processed semen sample treated with beta-defensin 1. Then, all portions were evaluated for sperm motility and viability. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The mean percentage of motility in alpha-lipoic acid and β-defensin 1 groups after 1 and 2 hours, showed a statistically significant increase (p=0.05), while at the 3rd hour, only alpha-lipoic acid group had a significant increase in sperm motility. The mean percentage of sperm viability in alpha-lipoic acid and β-defensin 1 groups showed a significant increase compared to the control group after 1, 2, and 3 hours (p≤0.05). Although both alpha-lipoic acid and beta-defensin protein are effective for maintenance of sperm motility and viability after separation of time, it is recommended to use alpha-lipoic acid in sperm processing medium to maintain sperm motility and viability.

salivary proteins have, today, gained special importance in studies of the role of saliva in tooth decay. Among the peptides, histatins and defenses play a more important role. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of salivary antibacterial peptides in children with early childhood caries (ECC, SECC) compared to children without caries.

This comparative-case study was conducted on 48 young children (under 6 years of age) with milk teeth referred to a private pediatric dentistry center. The participants were divided into three groups of 16 with early childhood caries (ECC, SECC) and without decay. After collecting children's saliva, the samples were sent to the laboratory to obtain peptide concentration in salivia using ELISA and the results were analyzed using SPSS 22 software.

The average index of histatin-5 in the mild caries group was significantly lower than those in the moderate caries (p<0.001) and severe caries groups (p<0.001). The average index of beta-defensin-1 in the mild caries group was significantly higher than those in the moderate caries (p<0.001) and severe caries groups (p<0.001). The average beta-defensin-2 index in the mild caries group was significantly higher than those in the moderate caries group (p<0.001); and in the severe caries group, it was significantly higher than that in the moderate caries group (p<0.001).

With the increase of salivary HST-5, the progress of caries increased. Also, the progress of caries was associated with a decrease in the amount of β-defensin-1. No correlation was observed between the caries process and the amount of β-defensin-2.

Vitamin D is known for its roles in calcium metabolism and bone health. With the spread of COVID-19 epidemic, roles of this vitamin in strengthening host immune system has received more attention. Nearly 900 genes have been identified, whose expression is controlled by vitamin D. Most of these genes are involved in innate and adaptive immune systems. Vitamin D prohibits the penetration of viruses deep into tissues by maintaining intercellular connections. This characteristic of vitamin D prevents rapid spread of the coronavirus in the lungs. Stimulating immune cell differentiation, increasing killing capacity of macrophages and increasing production of antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin and β-defensin by vitamin D increase the immune system ability to fight coronavirus. Moreover, vitamin D decreases over secretion of inflammatory cytokines; thus, prohibiting cytokine storm and uncontrolled inflammation in the lungs. Modulating activity of the renin-angiotensin system and preventing over accumulation of angiotensin 2 are other functions of vitamin D in protecting tissues, especially lungs, against the coronavirus.

Defensins are members of the largest family of antimicrobial peptides and due to their activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses are very profitable as new antibiotics. The aim of this study was to design, synthesis, clone and expression of BNBD2 (Bovine Neutrophil Beta-Defensin2) gene to investigate the wound healing process. In this study, according to the preferred codon in E. coli, the BNBD2 gene was optimized and synthesized. The BNBD2 gene was sub cloned in vector pET-32a (+). The BNBD2 protein expression was assessed using Isopropyl-ß-D-thio-galactoside (IPTG) as an inducer and evaluating by SDS-PAGE. The potency of BNBD2 protein for healing was studied by creating a wound on a group of mice and treating them with BNBD2 protein in comparison with the control group. The results showed that BNBD2 gene was successfully cloned into pET32a (+) vector. The expression of protein was induced by IPTG. There was a significant reduction in wound area in the treatment group in compare to the control group.Conclusiosn: Recombinant protein (BNBD2) was expressed successfully in prokaryotic system. This protein might be potentially beneficial for wound healing procedures in the future

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiinfl ammatory, antiinfective and clinical properties of amniotic membrane (AM) when used for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in contained interdental defects. A total of 30 subjects participated in this study. Two sites in each subject were randomly assigned into each of the following experimental groups; test group: AM with bone graft and control group: Bone graft only. Clinical parameters included recording site specifi c measures of plaque, gingivitis, probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). The levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) levels in gingival crevicular fl uid (GCF) from the test and control sites were measured by using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits. The evaluation of bone fi ll was performed by using digital subtraction technique and morphometric area analysis. One-way analysis of variance followed by the post-hoc test was used for intragroup and intergroup comparison. A P < 0.05 was considered as statistically signifi cant. Combination therapy using an AM increased bone fi ll and reduced PPD and CAL when compared to controls. AM also resulted in a signifi cant reduction of GCF IL-1β levels and insignifi cant increase in the hBD-2 levels. From this trial conducted over a period of 24 weeks, AM demonstrated a marked antiinfl ammatory effect and its use resulted in an improvement in periodontal parameters. AM has the potential to function as a barrier for GTR and the unique properties associated with this material can augment its potential as a matrix for periodontal regeneration.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play principle roles in recognition of autologous components which have been pointed as the danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMP) and microbial components which are identified as pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP).The infiltration of various inflammatory cells such as dendritic cells, lymphocytes (CD4+ T, CD8+ T as well as B cells), monocytes and macrophages occur into the central nervous sys tem (CNS) during multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model named experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The infiltrated leukocytes and residential cells of the CNS express several TLRs (especially TLR2) and their expression are elevated in MS and EAE. TLR2 recognizes a large variety DAMP and PAMP molecules due to its ability to create heterodimers with TLR1, TLR6 and probably TLR10. A wide spectrum of  DAMP molecules, including heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), HSP70, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), β-defensin 3, surfactant protein A and D, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, gangliosides, serum amyloid A, hyaluronic acid and biglycan are identified by TLR2, whose their expression is increased in MS patients. TLR2 may contribute in the development of MS and EAE diseases through the reinforcement of Th1/Th17 cell-related responses, downregulation of regulatory T cells, induction of IL-17+ γδ T cells, inhibition of oligodendrocyte maturation, induction of poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1)-dependent pathway in microglia, macrophages and astrocytes and inhibition of type I interferons expression. The contribution of TLR2-related immunopathological responses in the MS and EAE pathogenesis and its possible targeting as promising therapeutic potentials are considered in this review.

Some antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), microRNAs (miRs), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) are involved in autoimmune diseases, which may be affected by exercise training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an eight-week combined exercise training (aerobic and resistance) on the expression of inflammatory factors, including, human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2), cathelicidin (LL-37), TLR-4, miR-23b, miR-155, and miR-326 in women with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), which has not been investigated yet.Twenty-three women (20-40 years) with RRMS were randomized into the combined training (CT) and control (CON) groups. The CT group subjects completed eight weeks of supervised CT using a treadmill and stationary bicycle for aerobic exercise and weight machines for resistance exercise. The expression levels of hBD-2, LL-37, TLR-4, miR-23b, miR-155, and miR-326 were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the baseline and end of the study.Although the expression of hBD-2 and miR-23b decreased in both CT and CON groups, the reduction was lower in the CT group than in the CON group (p=0.001). The expression of LL-37 in the CT group remained unchanged, but that of the CON group increased; thus, the between-group difference was significant. Although the TLR-4, miR-155, and miR-326 expression increased in both groups compared to the baseline, the increase in the CT group was lower than the CON group.Our results showed that the combined training might improve inflammatory symptoms by affecting the expression of some AMPs, miRs, and TLR-4 in patients with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis.

 Defensins are cysteine-rich antimicrobial cationic peptides and BAX is a proapoptotic gene that can cause cell death. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cellular extract of co-cultured Lactobacillus casei on the expression of BAX and human β-defensin 2 (hBD-2) genes in HT29 cells.
Methods & Materials: This experimental study was conducted in the Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The HT29 cell line was obtained from the Pasteur Institute of Iran, and cells were assessed using Microculture Tetrazolium Test (MTT) after culturing. DNA was extracted from the treated cells, and then the DNA ladder assay was carried out. After preparing cDNA, the expression levels of BAX and hBD-2 genes in the HT29 cell line were measured using a real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method.

 The results of the MTT assay indicated that Lactobacillus casei inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells and induced apoptosis in these cells. Results of DAPI staining and DNA ladder assay obtained from treating HT29 cells by Lactobacillus casei showed qualitative changes in cell apoptosis. Moreover, realtime PCR results indicated that Lactobacillus casei bacteria significantly increased the expression of the hBD-2 gene in HT29 colon cancer cells within 12-24 hours (P= 0.023), while BAX gene expression showed no significant change in the first 24 hours (P= 0.37).

 The extract of Lactobacillus casei can be used to stimulate cancer cells to produce β-defensins, inhibit pathogens, prevent the stimulation of cellular signaling, and fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Human β-defensin 126 (12kDa) is a small cationic glycoprotein that is highly rich of cysteine. DEFB126 gene is located on the subtelomeric end of 20p1.3 in human. High expression of this protein is reported in epididymis. This polypeptide coats the plasma membrane of sperm during epididy‌mal transit. It is likely that β -defensin 126 might have role in unexplained male infertility since it involves in sperm maturation and capacitation. The current research designed to investigate if there is relation between β-defensin 126 gene mutation and unexplained male infertility. In this case- control study we followed a two cytosine nucleotides deletion of β-defensin 126 gene in 35 Iranian men with unexplained infertility and 40 fertile men with normal spermogeram as control group. Standard PCR, SSCP(Single strand conformational polymorphism), and sequencing were used to detect genetic alteration of β-defensin 126. ELISA was performed for the assessment of the protein expression on sperm cells. Analysis of genetic data revealed 28.6% homozygote deletion in unexplained infertile men while this deletion was detected in 7.5% of controls. The deletion frequency was statistically higher in infertile patients than normal control group (p<0.05). The protein expression was less in men with del/del genotype compare to the other genotypes (p<0.005). Our study shows that this common sequence variation of β-defensin 126 takes part in impairment of male reproductive function. Consequently, men with the del/del genotype are significantly less fertile than men who carry the wild type allele.