Human β-defensin-2 expression in the scales of pityriasis versicolor and psoriasis

Background: Human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) is a cysteine-rich, cationic, low-molecular-weight antimicrobial peptide, first extracted from psoriatic scales. Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a common superficial fungal infection, in which the causative organisms are limited to the stratum corneum. Objective: To compare the degree of expression of hBD-2 in the skin of both PV and psoriasis to clarify the specificity of hBD-2 in infective and noninfective dermatoses. Patients and methods This study included 17 patients with PV, 15 patients with psoriasis, and 10 healthy controls. Skin scrapings were obtained from all participants for estimation of hBD-2 levels in the scales using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The study revealed significantly higher hBD-2 levels in the scales of PV, as well as of psoriasis, in comparison with controls. Conclusion: hBD-2 is a nonspecific antimicrobial peptide that is overexpressed equally in both infective (PV) and noninfective (psoriasis) cutaneous disorders, encouraging further investigations on its role in immune regulation and antimicrobial defense.