Cytomegalovirus seropositivity correlates with both human β-defensin 1 and IFN-γ downregulation in women with obesity

[Display omitted] •In women with obesity and cytomegalovirus seropositivity, IFN-γ is downregulated.•Cytomegalovirus titers correlates with triglyceride levels in obesity.•Cytomegalovirus titers correlates with lower IFN-γ levels.•IFN-γ levels have a high correlation with β-defensin 1 levels in vivo.•IFN-γ levels have a negative correlation with age. Human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1) is a constitutively expressed antimicrobial peptide with antiviral properties. CMV seropositivity has been associated with obesity. It is unknown if hBD-1 levels of are altered in women with obesity and/or CMV seropositivity. In a pilot project of 31 adult women with CMV seropositivity, we calculated the correlation among hBD-1 serum levels (ELISA) and IgG anti-CMV-Index with anthropometric measurements, lipid profiles and glucose levels. hBD-1 showed negative correlation with triglycerides (TG) (r = −0.617; p = 0.033,) and hip circumference (r = −0.596; p = 0.041,). IgG anti-CMV index was negatively correlated with hBD-1 levels and positively correlated with TG (r = 0.702; p = 0.011,) and HC (r = 0.583; p = 0.047,) in women with obesity. As expected, hBD-1 levels correlates with IFN-γ (an antimicrobial peptide elicitor) in the three analyzed groups.These results shows that CMV seropositivity correlates with both IFN-γ levels and hBD-1 levels which in contrast with non-CMV seropositivity scenario, is commonly found an IFN-γ upregulation in individuals with obesity. Further research is encouraged to test if CMV is causing the observed downregulation of the antiviral immune responses of both hBD-1 and IFN-γ as well as their involved mechanisms.