In human epidermis, β-defensin 2 is packaged in lamellar bodies

The skin presents a mechanical, as well as an immunological barrier to infection, and displays considerable innate immune capacity. Recently, cultured human keratinocytes were described to produce and export a microbicidal peptide human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2). Immunogold was used to label ultrathin cryosections of stimulated, cultured human epidermis. HBD-2 was found to be stored in the lamellar bodies (LBs) of the stimulated keratinocytes of the spinous layer of the epidermis. HBD-2 was also found in the intercellular space. These findings suggest that HBD-2 is released with the contents of the LBs. Along with other investigations, our findings indicate that the lipid permeability barrier of the skin contains antimicrobial substances. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.