Human beta-defensin 3 (hBD-3) expression in A431 cell line and human vulval tumors.

UNLABELLED The present work was AIMED on the study of human beta-defensin 3 (hBD-3) gene expression in A431 cell line and human vulval tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty surgical specimens of both malignant and conventionally normal human vulval tissues have been analyzed for the presence of hBD-3 mRNA by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In vitro experiments have been carried out on A431 cells. RESULTS It has been shown that hBD-3 gene expression in A431 cells was induced upon EGF stimulation. In human vulval tissues, in 8 cases the expression of hBD-3 gene was registered only in tumor tissue and was absent in paired controls, and 7 cases were characterized by significant increase of hBD-3 gene expression in malignant transformed epithelium in comparison with normal ones. Remaining surgical specimens showed either equal levels of hBD-3 expression or even moderate elevation of hBD-3 expression in normal tissue. In 2 specimens of tumor tissue hBD-3 mRNA was not observed. CONCLUSION In human vulval epithelium, the increase in hBD-3 mRNA expression was predominantly associated with malignant phenotype.