Expression Pattern of Human Neutrophil Peptides (HNP 1-3) in Chronic Hyperplastic Candidiasis

The α-defensins are a group of antimicrobial peptides which have a potent antifungal activity against Candida species. The present study was conducted to investigate the expression and significance of human α -defensins/human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP 1-3) in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis (CHC) with regard to the degree and distribution of fungal invasion. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to compare CHC samples (n=16) with samples of Candida negative leukoplakia without definite epithelial dysplasia (LP) (n=9). The type of fungal invasion (localized, uniform, or no invasion) was compared with regard to HNP 1-3 immunoreactivity. The patterns of HNP staining were localized or diffuse in the epithelium of CHC and negative in LP. Histological types of invasion were significantly correlated with the HNP positivity (P<0.01). Many neutrophils in the epithelia of CHC were found to be positive for HNP.These findings suggest that neutrophils aggregate and form microabscesses in CHC depending on the type of candidal invasion, subsequently releasing HNP 1-3 towards the infective foci to control further invasion.