β-defensins and the epididymis: contrasting influences of prenatal, postnatal, and adult scenarios

Asian Journal of Andrology
Camilla M RibeiroMaria Christina W Avellar

Abstract

β-defensins are components of host defense, with antimicrobial and pleiotropic immuno-modulatory properties. Research over the last 15 years has demonstrated abundant expression of a variety of β-defensins in the postnatal epididymis of different species. A gradient of region- and cell-specific expression of these proteins is observed in the epithelium of the postnatal epididymis. Their secretion into the luminal fluid and binding to spermatozoa as they travel along the epididymis has suggested their involvement in reproduction-specific tasks. Therefore, continuous attention has been given to various β-defensins for their role in sperm function and fertility. Although β-defensins are largely dependent on androgens, the underlying mechanisms regulating their expression and function in the epididymis are not well understood. Recent investigation has pointed out to a new and interesting scenario where β-defensins emerge with a different expression pattern in the Wolffian duct, the embryonic precursor of the epididymis, as opposed to the adult epididymis, thereby redefining the concept concerning the multifunctional roles of β-defensins in the developing epididymis. In this review, we summarize some current views of β-defensins in ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 20, 2019·Andrology·R Wijayarathna, M P Hedger
May 3, 2019·Andrology·J A BrowneA Harris
Dec 28, 2019·Andrology·Christine Légaré, Robert Sullivan
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May 26, 2021·Peptides·C E Valdez-MiramontesB Rivas-Santiago

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