ArticleReproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2011
Alpha-defensins 1-3 release by dendritic cells is reduced by estrogen.
Article in Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2011. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 26 citations in OpenAlex.
- Mucosal Dynamics Contributing to Innate Immune Responses to HIV in the Human Female Genital Tract.Viruses · 2026Review
- Human Papillomavirus in Reproductive Health and Pregnancy: Clinical Implications, Outcomes, and a Comprehensive Review of Vaccination.Vaccines · 2026Review
- Impact of Psychological Stress-Derived Hormones and Cytokines on Immune Cell Profiles in Vitiligo: Toward Improved Peripheral Blood Simulation in Animal Models.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2025Review
- Review
- Aging modifies endometrial dendritic cell function and unconventional double negative T cells in the human genital mucosa.Immunity & ageing : I & A · 2023Article
- Activation of the Innate Immune System in Children With Irritable Bowel Syndrome Evidenced by Increased Fecal Human β-Defensin-2.Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association · 2021Article
- Innate Immune Cells and Toll-like Receptor-Dependent Responses at the Maternal-Fetal Interface.International journal of molecular sciences · 2019Review
- Dendritic cells from the human female reproductive tract rapidly capture and respond to HIV.Mucosal immunology · 2017Article
- Article
- Myeloid decidual dendritic cells and immunoregulation of pregnancy: defective responsiveness to Coxiella burnetii and Brucella abortus.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2014Article
- Innate and adaptive anti-HIV immune responses in the female reproductive tract.Journal of reproductive immunology · 2013Review
- Immunobiology of genital tract trauma: endocrine regulation of HIV acquisition in women following sexual assault or genital tract mutilation.American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989) · 2013Review
- Article
- Article
- Characterizing the pregnancy immune phenotype: results of the viral immunity and pregnancy (VIP) study.Journal of clinical immunology · 2012Article
- Roles of Different β-Defensins in the Human Reproductive System: A Review Study.American journal of men's healthReview
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDuring pregnancy the immune system of the mother must protect any activation that may negatively affect the fetus. Changes in susceptibility to infection as well as resolution of some autoimmune disorders represent empirical evidence for pregnancy related alterations in immunity. Sex hormones reach extremely high levels during pregnancy and have been shown to have direct effects on many immune functions including the antiviral response of dendritic cells. Among the immunologically active proteins secreted by monocyte derived DCs (MDDC) are the alpha-defensins 1-3. This family of cationic antimicrobial peptides has a broad spectrum of microbicidal activity and has also been shown to link innate to adaptive immunity by attracting T cells and immature DCs, which are essential for initiating and polarizing the immune response.
methodsWe compare culture-generated monocyte derived DCs (MDDCs) with directly isolated myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and measure their alpha-defensins 1-3 secretion by ELISA both, in basal situations and after hormone (E2 or PG) treatments. Moreover, using a cohort of pregnant women we isolated mDCs from blood and also measure the levels of these anti-microbial peptides along pregnancy.
resultsWe show that mDCs and pDCs constitutively produce alpha-defensins 1-3 and at much higher levels than MDDCs. Alpha-defensins 1-3 production from mDCs and MDDCs but not pDCs is inhibited by E2. PG does not affect alpha-defensins 1-3 in any of the populations. Moreover, alpha-defensins 1-3 production by mDCs was reduced in the later stages of pregnancy in 40% of the patients.
conclusionsHere, we demonstrate that mDCs and pDCs secrete alpha-defensins 1-3 and present a novel effect of E2 on the secretion of alpha-defensins 1-3 by dendritic cells.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.