Soybean phytoestrogen enhances the antimicrobial peptides beta-defensin-2 synthesis in endometrial epithelial cells with lipopolysaccharides and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid stimulation (639.8)

β-defensins (BD) are antimicrobial peptides that contribute the mucosal innate immunity. Its expression is regulated by sex steroid hormones. Phytoestrogens genistein (Ge) and daidzein (Di) mostly found in soybean are structurally similar to estrogen. This study aims to examine the effect of phytoestrogens on the synthesis and secretion of BD in endometrial epithelial cells under pathogenic conditions. The cells were cultivated in estrogen-free media in the presence of phytoestrogen for 48 h following with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) stimulation. The mRNA expression and the secretion of BD were analyzed by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The cells expressed and secreted BD2 with a greater extent than other BD subtypes (BD1, 3 or 4). A 4-h inoculation with poly I:C decreased the BD2 secretion. Pretreatment with Ge (0.1 nM or 1 μM) increased both the expression and secretion of BD2 in response to LPS. However, Ge at 0.1 nM prevented the poly I:C suppressed B...