Human ß-defensin 1 in follicular fluid and semen: impact on fertility.

PURPOSE: ß-defensins are antimicrobial peptides expressed at mucosal level of male and female genito-urinary tract, where they exert protective functions against infections, possibly preserving human health and fertility. In our study, we investigated the possible involvement of ß-defensins in female and male infertility in Italian infertile couples (i) evaluating the presence of human ß-defensin 1 (hBD-1) in follicular fluid (FF) and its correlation with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes; (ii) investigating the relationship between hBD-1 levels in semen and IVF outcomes (comprising correlation with sperm parameters); and (iii) exploring the effect of hBD-1 peptide on spermatozoa motility in vitro. METHODS: A perspective observational analytic pilot study was conducted. hBD-1 concentration was measured with ELISA assay in FF and semen from 50 couples that underwent assisted procreation technique procedures due to infertility status. Moreover, hBD-1 exogenous peptide was administered to 29 normozoospermic semen and their motility was recorded. RESULTS: hBD-1 was detected in FF and its levels were significantly higher in women with good fertilization rate (≥ 75%), respect to those with a poor fertilization rate (< 75%). The hBD-1 semen concentrations in oligo-asthenozoospermic subjects were significantly lower than that in normozoospermic men. Instead, hBD-1 level in sperm and FF not correlated with pregnancy rate. Finally, incubation of sperm with exogenous hBD-1 significantly increased progressive motility after 1 h and 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: Being aware of the relatively small sample size and medium power, our results possibly suggest that hBD-1 could influence oocyte and sperm quality, and could improve, when exogenously added, sperm motility.

Perforin gene PRF1 c.900C> T polymorphism and HIV-1 vertical transmission.

Perforin-1, a component of the immune system, is able to control Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) replication and could be involved in HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). This study aims at evaluating the role of the c.900C > T PRF1 gene (encoding for perforin-1) polymorphism (rs885822) in HIV-1 MTCT. The PRF1 c.900C > T polymorphism was genotyped in 331 children from Zambia using a Taqman probe on a Real Time PCR platform. The PRF1 c.900C > T C/T genotype was more frequent among HIV-1 exposed but non-infected children than in HIV-1 positive cases, and the results were confirmed among children infected during breastfeeding. PRF1 c.900C > T correlated with protection against HIV-1 MTCT, suggesting its role in HIV-1 vertical transmission.

Mannose-Binding Lectin 2 (MBL2) combined genotypes deficiency is associated with susceptibility for Oral Lichen Planus.

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is an oral inflammatory condition, mediated by host immune system reaction, presenting basal membrane damages with inflammatory lesions in the mouth and/or skin. In this study, the role of functional polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene, encoding for Mannose-Binding Protein C (MBP-C), a member of the innate immune response and an acute-phase protein able to activate the complement cascade, was investigated to assess a possible association with OLP susceptibility in Italian patients. Two variations at the promoter region (called H/L and X/Y) and three at the first exon (at codon 52, 54, and 57) of the MBL2 gene were analyzed in 69 OLP patients and 244 healthy controls from northeastern Italy. Considering the polymorphisms singularly, the MBL2 X allele and C/T genotype of the D allele (correlated with low MBP-C expression) were associated with susceptibility to develop OLP. Moreover, when taking into account MBL2 combined genotypes, more OLP patients were deficient MBP-C producers than not deficient, who were more represented among healthy controls. MBL2 combined genotypes, responsible for deficient MBP-C production, are associated with an increased risk of developing OLP.

MBL2 polymorphisms in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.

Infection with high risk Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main known cause of cervical cancer. HPV induces different grades of lesions: among them, Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance are abnormal lesions that could evolve in pre-cancer lesions or spontaneously regress. The mannose binding lectin (MBL) is an innate immunity serum protein also found in cervico-vaginal mucosa, whose expression is known to be affected by polymorphisms in exon 1 and promoter of the MBL2 gene. In the present study the possible association between MBL2 functional polymorphisms and susceptibility to develop atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance was investigated in a group of women from North-East of Italy, stratified for HPV infection status. The MBL2 D and O alleles and the deficient producer combined genotypes, responsible for low MBL production, were more represented among atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance positive women than healthy controls and the results were confirmed when only HPV negative samples were considered. These results suggest a possible involvement of MBL2 functional polymorphisms in atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance susceptibility.

Interleukin-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and celiac disease in Italian patients.

Celiac disease (CD) is the most common food-sensitive enteropathy in genetically susceptible individuals. The major genetic risk factors known are specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ haplotypes, but other genetic factors are supposed to be involved. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has an important role in the immune defense and it has the potential to influence inflammatory disorders. IL-18 is able to promote Th1 cell development and it is expressed in the mucosa of the small intestine in celiac patients. Given the IL-18 biological role, and since a few studies have previously suggested its involvement in CD, in order to investigate the role of IL18 gene in the susceptibility to CD we have performed a case-control study, analyzing two IL18 gene promoter polymorphisms, previously reported to impair the transcriptional activity of the gene, (-137G > C and -607C > A, rs187238 and rs1946518 respectively). A total of 556 CD Italian patients and 582 controls, further stratified for HLA class II (DQ) CD risk haplotypes were enrolled. The -607A > C A allele and A/A genotype, as well as the combination of this allele with the -137G allele in the AG haplotype, were associated with an increased risk towards CD development, in particular in HLA-DQ2.2 patients. Although the association was very moderate, our results indicate the possible involvement of IL18 gene in the susceptibility to CD, and for this reason we do think it should deserve further investigation.

Lactotransferrin gene functional polymorphisms do not influence susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus-1 mother-to-child transmission in different ethnic groups.

Lactotransferrin, also known as lactoferrin, is an iron binding glycoprotein that displays antiviral activity against many different infectious agents, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. Lactotransferrin is present in the breast milk and in the female genitourinary mucosa and it has been hypothesised as a possible candidate to prevent mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission. To verify if two functional polymorphisms, Thr29Ala and Arg47Lys, in the lactotransferrin encoding gene (LTF) could affect HIV-1 infection and vertical transmission, a preliminary association study was performed in 238 HIV-1 positive and 99 HIV-1 negative children from Brazil, Italy, Africa and India. No statistically significant association for the Thr29Ala and Arg47Lys LTF polymorphisms and HIV-1 susceptibility in the studied populations was found. Additionally LTF polymorphisms frequencies were compared between the four different ethnic groups.

DEFB1 polymorphisms and HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission in Zambian population.

Introduction: Human Beta Defensin-1 (hBD-1) is a component of the innate immune system, the first line of defence against pathogens, already reported as involved in the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in different populations. We investigated the role of DEFB1 gene (encoding for hBD-1) functional polymorphisms in the susceptibility to HIV-1 MTCT in a population from Zambia. Methods: Four selected polymorphisms within DEFB1 gene, three at the 5' untranslated region (UTR), namely -52G > A (rs1799946), -44C > G (rs1800972) and -20G > A (rs11362) and one in the 3'UTR, c.*87A > G (rs1800972), were genotyped in 101 HIV-1 positive mothers (26 transmitters -27% and 75 not transmitters -73%) and 331 infants born to HIV-1 infected mothers (85 HIV-1 positive -26% and 246 exposed but not infected -74%). Results: DEFB1 c.*87-A allele was more frequent among HIV- children with respect to HIV+ (with intrauterine MTCT). Concerning DEFB1 haplotypes, GCGA haplotype resulted more represented in HIV- than HIV+ infants and DEFB1 ACGG haplotype presented increased frequency in HIV- children respect to HIV+ (with intra-partum MTCT) (p = .02, p = .002 and p = .006, respectively). Conclusions: DEFB1 polymorphisms were significantly associated with decreased risk of HIV-1 infection acquisition in the studied Zambian population suggesting that they may play a role in HIV-1 MTCT.

Association Between LTF Polymorphism and Risk of HIV-1 Transmission Among Zambian Seropositive Mothers.

BACKGROUND: Lactoferrin is a member of the innate immune system acting in the first line of defence against pathogens, and it is known for its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity, including HIV-1. Two polymorphisms, T29A and R47K, in the exon 1 region of the LTF gene (encoding for the lactoferrin protein) were previously described as able to influence the lactoferrin antimicrobial function. OBJECTIVES: LTF T29A and R47K genetic variants were analysed in a Zambian population to unravel if these polymorphisms could play a role in HIV-1 mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission. METHODS: LTF T29A and R47K polymorphisms were genotyped, using allelic specific fluorescent probes and real time PCR, in a population comprising 101 HIV-1 positive mothers and 333 children born to seropositive mothers. RESULTS: Maternal LTF T29A A/A and A/G genotypes were found to be associated with decreased risk of HIV-1 MTCT, being more frequent among non-transmitter mothers respect to transmitter mothers. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that maternal LTF genetic background contributes to the susceptibility to HIV-1 transmission from mother to new-borns.

Candida Infections and Human Defensins.

BACKGROUND: Candida species infections are an important worldwide health issue since they do not only affect immunocompromised patients but also healthy individuals. The host developed different mechanisms of protection against Candida infections; specifically the immune system and the innate immune response are the first line of defence. Defensis are a group of antimicrobial peptides, components of the innate immunity, produced at mucosal level and known to be active against bacteria, virus but also fungi. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current work was to review all previous studies in literature that analysed defensins in the context of Candida spp. infections, in order to investigate and clarify the exact mechanisms of defensins anti-fungal action. METHODS: Several studies were identified from 1985 to 2017 (9 works form years 1985 to 1999, 44 works ranging from 2000 to 2009 and 35 from 2010 to 2017) searched in two electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar). The main key words used for the research were "Candida", "Defensins"," Innate immune system","fungi". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The findings of the reviewed studies highlight the pivotal role of defensins antimicrobial peptides in the immune response against Candida infections, since they are able to discriminate host cell from fungi: defensins are able to recognize the pathogens cell wall (different in composition from the human ones), and to disrupt it through membrane permeabilization. However, further research is needed to explain completely defensins' mechanisms of action to fight C. albicans (and other Candida spp.) infections, being the information fragmentary and only in part elucidated.

DEFB1 polymorphisms and salivary hBD-1 concentration in Oral Lichen Planus patients and healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVES: The aetiology of Oral Lichen Planus (OLP), a chronic inflammatory disease of oral mucosa, is not yet well understood. Since innate immunity may be hypothesized as involved in the susceptibility to OLP, we studied human beta defensin 1 (hBD-1) an antimicrobial peptide constitutively expressed in the saliva, looking at functional genetic variants possibly able to diminish hBD-1 production an consequently conferring major susceptibility to OLP. DESIGN: We analysed three DEFB1 polymorphisms at 5' UTR, -52G>A (rs1799946), -44C>G (rs1800972), -20G>A (rs11362) and two DEFB1 polymorphisms at 3'UTR, c*5G>A (rs1047031), c*87A>G (rs1800971), with the aim of correlating these genetic variants and hBD-1 salivary level in a group of OLP patients and in healthy subjects. We also evaluated hBD-1 salivary concentrations, using ELISA, in OLP and healthy controls. RESULTS: We compared hBD-1 concentrations in OLP and healthy subjects: hBD-1 concentration was significantly higher in OLP patients respect to control. When considering the correlation between DEFB1 polymorphisms genotypes and hBD-1 expression levels, significant results were obtained for SNPs -52G>A (p=0.03 both in OLP patients and healthy individuals) and -44C>G (p=0.02 in OLP patients). CONCLUSIONS: hBD-1 production was different between OLP and healthy subjects (not age-matched with OLP). DEFB1 gene polymorphisms, -52G>A and -44C>G, correlated with hBD-1 salivary concentrations.

DEFB1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to recurrent tonsillitis in Italian children.

INTRODUCTION: The tonsils are secondary lymphoid organs fundamental for immune system response against pathogens within the oral cavity. Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils that may include the adenoids and the lingual tonsils and that can be acute, recurrent, and chronic. Viral or bacterial infections, as well as immunologic factors are the main trigger to tonsillitis and disease's chronicity: the host immune responses, especially the innate one, could play an important role in susceptibility to the disease. OBJECTIVES: The current study aims at investigating the role of functional polymorphisms in the 5'UTR (c.-52G>A, c.-44G>C and c.-20G>A) of DEFB1 gene, encoding for the antimicrobial peptide human beta-defensin 1, in the predisposition to recurrent tonsillitis in children from North Eastern Italy. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between DEFB1 allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies and recurrent tonsillitis susceptibility with the exception of an increased risk to disease development in patients carrying DEFB1 rare haplotypes. CONCLUSION: Our results may suggest that DEFB1 polymorphisms alone may not influence pathology susceptibility, however they could possibly concur, together with other factors involved in the genetic control of innate immune system, in the predisposition towards recurrent tonsillitis.

MBL2 genetic polymorphisms and HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission in Zambia.

Since antiretroviral drugs have been introduced to prevent mother-to-child transmission, the risk of HIV-1 infection in infants has decreased considerably worldwide. Nevertheless, many factors are involved in viral transmission and host susceptibility to infection. The immune system and its components, including mannose binding protein C (encoding by MBL2 gene), are already known to play an important role in this scenario. In the present study, 313 children and 98 of their mothers from Zambia were genotyped for the MBL2 promoter HL (rs11003125) and XY (rs7096206) polymorphisms and exon 1 D (rs5030737, at codon 52) B (rs1800450, at codon 54) and C (rs1800451, at codon 57) polymorphisms in order to investigate the potential role of these genetic variants in HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission. No statistical significant association was observed comparing transmitter and non-transmitter mothers and also confronting HIV-positive and HIV-negative children. The findings of the current study obtained on mother and children from Zambia evidence lack of association between MBL2 functional polymorphisms and HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission.

CD209 promoter polymorphisms associate with HCV infection and pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin treatment response.

Hepatitis C is a severe liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus that could persist in the host causing progression towards chronic disease in about 80% of the cases. Pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin was the gold standard therapy, however treatment's response was quite variable among individuals and different host/viral factors may play a role in disease outcome. The cluster of differentiation 209 (CD209 antigen) is a component of the innate immune system able to recognize HCV and consequently activating the immune response. We enrolled 203 Italian HCV infected patients and 220 healthy controls investigating if five promoter polymorphisms within CD209 gene (encoding for CD209 antigen) correlated with HCV infection susceptibility, spontaneous viral clearance and interferon treatment response. CD209 -939G>A and -871A>G polymorphisms associated with HCV infection susceptibility, while, CD209 -871A>G and -336A>G polymorphisms associated with response to treatment. In conclusion, CD209 polymorphisms could play a role in the susceptibility to HCV infection as well as interferon treatment response in our study population from North-East of Italy.

Impact of DEFB1 gene regulatory polymorphisms on hBD-1 salivary concentration.

OBJECTIVES: Human ß-defensin 1 (hBD-1) is an antimicrobial peptide involved in epithelial defence of various tissues, also present in the saliva. Individual genetic variations within the DEFB1 gene, encoding for hBD-1, could influence gene expression and protein production. DESIGN: Three DEFB1 polymorphisms at 5' untranslated region (UTR), -52G > A (rs1799946), -44C > G (rs1800972) and -20G > A (rs11362), and two polymorphisms at DEFB1 3' UTR, c*5G > A (rs1047031) and c*87A > G (rs1800971), were analysed by direct sequencing and correlated with hDB-1 salivary concentration (tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) in 40 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between individuals presenting different DEFB1 polymorphisms at positions -52 and -44 of the gene and hBD-1 salivary concentrations: -52 G/G carriers had higher levels of protein than G/A and A/A; -44C/G subjects showed a higher protein concentration than homozygous wild-type C/C. For the -20G > A, c*5G > A and c*87A > G polymorphisms, no statistically significant differences were found. Combined haplotype analysis confirmed the results obtained considering the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) singularly. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms in the DEFB1 gene influence hBD-1 production and, therefore, could modify the innate immune system responses and, consequently, the oral health.

Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms in celiac patients from north-eastern Italy.

Celiac disease is a complex chronic intestinal disorder driven by an immune response against the gliadin fraction of gluten: many factors are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, and among these Interleukin-10 could play an important role. In the present study, the -1082A>G, -819T>C and -592A>C IL10 functional polymorphisms were analyzed in 565 celiac patients and 576 healthy controls from north-eastern Italy, stratified for HLA class II celiac disease risk haplotypes. No significant differences were observed for the three IL10 polymorphisms distribution between celiac patients and controls with the exception of a slightly increased risk for the -1082A allele in HLA-DQ8 male individuals. Although our findings suggest that the IL10 genetic variants analyzed do not have a major role in the susceptibility to the development of celiac disease in north-eastern Italian patients, we think that the possible involvement of IL10 gene in CD should deserve further investigation and that large-scale studies are recommended to confirm our findings.

Lactotransferrin gene functional polymorphisms do not influence susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus-1 mother-to-child transmission in different ethnic groups

Lactotransferrin, also known as lactoferrin, is an iron binding glycoprotein that displays antiviral activity against many different infectious agents, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1. Lactotransferrin is present in the breast milk and in the female genitourinary mucosa and it has been hypothesised as a possible candidate to prevent mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission. To verify if two functional polymorphisms, Thr29Ala and Arg47Lys, in the lactotransferrin encoding gene (LTF) could affect HIV-1 infection and vertical transmission, a preliminary association study was performed in 238 HIV-1 positive and 99 HIV-1 negative children from Brazil, Italy, Africa and India. No statistically significant association for the Thr29Ala and Arg47Lys LTF polymorphisms and HIV-1 susceptibility in the studied populations was found. Additionally LTF polymorphisms frequencies were compared between the four different ethnic groups.