EXPRESSION OF HUMAN BETA-DEFENSIN 3 IN COS-7 CELL

To establish a cell line for stable expression of human beta-defensin 3 (hBD3). Methods Full length cDNA of hBD3 was isolated from previously constructed pGEM-hBD3 and then inserted into pcDNA3. The recombinant vector identified carrying hBD3 with right direction was introduced into COS-7 cells by Lipofe-ctamine. Cell clones survived in G418-rich medium and with stable expression of hBD3 in both mRNA and protein levels were identified by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively. Genomic integration of the hBD3 gene with the COS-7 cells was confirmed by Southern dot blot and primary analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the secreted hBD3 was also evaluated. Results COS-7 cells transfected with pcDNA3-hBD3 expressed hBD3 stably in mRNA and protein level. Southern dot blot analysis showed successful integration of the hBD3 gene into the genome of COS-7 cell and the hBD-3 protein secreted into the culture medium showed antimicrobial activity. Conclusion We successfully established a hBD3-expressing cell line.