Abstract
Aim: Antimicrobial peptides are widespread in nature and play a critical role in host defense. LL-37 is a mere cathelicidin present in human at the moment and is thought to contribute to the innate immunity of newborn. Our aim is to examine the LL-37 concentration in amniotic fluid and the relationship with neonatal and maternal infection.
Material and methods: Amniotic fluids at cesarean section from 17 newborns were examined. The gestational ages and birth weights were 34 } 3.9w (range: 27–39) and 1854 } 793g (range: 678-3132), respectively. The collected amniotic fluid was adjusted with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). For enrichment of proteins/peptides these solutions were passed through OASIS columns at 4 <C and eluted peptides/proteins were lyophilized. All these samples were analyzed for antimicrobial activity against Bacillus megaterium, (strain Bm11), using an inhibition zone assay. The LL-37 concentration was measured with ELISA assay.
Result and conclusion: The diameters of inhibition zone assay against Bm11 (10.6 } 4.6mm,) and the LL-37 concentrations (31.1 } 20.1ng/ml) with neonatal or maternal infection (n=6) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those (5.2 } 0.6mm, 8.6 } 1.4ng/ml) without any complication(n=5), respectively. Expression of LL-37 seemed to be induced in amniotic fluid with neonatal or maternal infection and antimicrobial peptide in amniotic fluid may play a more intrinsic role in a inflammatory condition during perinatal period.
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Yoshio, H., Yamada, M., Yoshida, M. et al. 426 Expression of a Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide, LL-37, in Amniotic Fluid with Neonatal or Maternal Infection. Pediatr Res 58, 427 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00455
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00455