[HTML][HTML] Fundamental role for HIF-1α in constitutive expression of human β defensin-1

CJ Kelly, LE Glover, EL Campbell, DJ Kominsky… - Mucosal …, 2013 - Elsevier
Antimicrobial peptides are secreted by the intestinal epithelium to defend from microbial
threats. The role of human β defensin-1 (hBD-1) is notable because its gene (beta-defensin
1 (DEFB1)) is constitutively expressed and its antimicrobial activity is potentiated in the low-
oxygen environment that characterizes the intestinal mucosa. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)
is stabilized even in healthy intestinal mucosa, and we identified that epithelial HIF-1α
maintains expression of murine defensins. Extension to a human model revealed that basal …