Article ID: JJID.2019.190
As one of the main antimicrobial peptides, human β-defensin 2 (HBD2) plays multiple roles in the lower genital tract. Based on the Nugent score as a diagnostic criterion for bacterial vaginosis, we sought to clarify the correlations among the Nugent score and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and HBD2 levels in vaginal secretions in association with various types of infection. Ninety-eight women were recruited for this study. Levels of HBD2 and IL-6 in the vaginal wash were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. According to the Nugent method, the number of Lactobacillus morphotypes per field of view was well correlated with the HBD2 level. The amount of HBD2 was also well correlated with the presence of Candida spp.(p<0.01). In vitro experiments revealed that the expression of HBD2 from the human vaginal epithelial cell line, VK2/E6E7, was induced by the addition of heat-killed Candida albicans (HKCA). The addition of HKCA induced the expression of Dectin-1 mRNA, and a luciferase assay for NF-kB responsive elements showed that HKCA activated NF-kB signaling. These results suggested that Candida albicans would be induced the activation of Dectin-1 and NF-kB signaling, resulting in HBD2 expression. In conclusion, the expression of HBD2 was positively correlated with the presence of Lactobacillus and Candida spp..
