mBin1b transgenic mice show enhanced resistance to epididymal infection by bacteria challenge

Genes Immun. 2012 Sep;13(6):445-51. doi: 10.1038/gene.2012.13. Epub 2012 Apr 26.

Abstract

The mBin1b is a beta-defensin gene identified in the mouse epididymis. In the current report, its expression pattern and antibacterial activities were characterized, and a transgenic (TG) mouse model was developed in which mBin1b was exclusively overexpressed by up to 50-fold over normal levels in the caput epididymis. The experimental animals are healthy with normal reproductive activity, but are more resistant to epididymal infection from Escherichia coli than normal animals. The expression of IL1α and IL1β in the epididymis was decreased in the TG mice, which suggests that mBin1b has a role in the regulation of inflammatory response in the epididymis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epididymis / metabolism
  • Epididymitis / genetics
  • Epididymitis / metabolism
  • Epididymitis / prevention & control*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Infections / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Infections / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Up-Regulation
  • beta-Defensins / genetics*
  • beta-Defensins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Spag11 protein, mouse
  • beta-Defensins