Alterations in Immune-Related Defensin Alpha 4 (DEFA4) Gene Expression in Health and Disease

Fatemah Basingab; Abeer Alsaiary; Shahad Almontashri; Aisha Alrofaidi; Mona Alharbi; Sheren Azhari; Khloud Algothmi; Safiah Alhazmi

doi:10.1155/2022/9099136

Alterations in Immune-Related Defensin Alpha 4 (DEFA4) Gene Expression in Health and Disease

Int J Inflam. 2022 May 28:2022:9099136. doi: 10.1155/2022/9099136. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Fatemah Basingab^{1

2}, Abeer Alsaiary^{1

3}, Shahad Almontashri¹, Aisha Alrofaidi¹, Mona Alharbi¹, Sheren Azhari¹, Khloud Algothmi¹, Safiah Alhazmi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
² Immunology Unit, King Fahad for Medical Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
³ Biology Department, College of Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Defensin Alpha 4 (DEFA4) is the fourth member of the Alpha Defensins family known as a part of antimicrobial peptides in the innate immune system. DEFA4 has a strong preference to kill Gram-negative bacteria more than Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, DEFA4 exhibits antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. Moreover, DEFA4 can act as an inhibitor of corticosterone production (Corticostatin). On the other hand, alternations in DEFA4 gene expression have been reported in different disorders such as diseases related to inflammation and immunity dysfunction, brain-related disorders, and various cancers. The up-regulation of DEFA4 appears to be involved in the malignant transformation or aggressive form of cancer. Interestingly, the modified version of DEFA4 fragment (1-11) was potent and efficient against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review provides a general background abSaudi Arabia out DEFA4 and sheds light on changes in DEFA4 gene expression in different diseases. The paper also discusses other aspects related to DEFA4 as an antimicrobial and antiviral agent. The research was conducted based on available articles obtained from databases starting from 1988 to the present.

Publication types

Review