WFDC12 has been identified as an antibacterial protein and a putative acid-stable proteinase inhibitor . It plays a significant role in the regulation of the inflammatory response in the lung. Studies have shown that recombinant WFDC12 can inhibit cathepsin G, a type of protease, and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in monocytic cells .
The expression of WFDC12 has been observed in human lung tissue, and its levels are elevated in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in healthy subjects treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component that triggers inflammation . This suggests that WFDC12 may have a protective role in lung inflammation and could be a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory lung diseases.
Recombinant expression and purification of WFDC12 have been optimized in Escherichia coli, allowing for detailed studies on its antiprotease, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory activities . These properties make WFDC12 a protein of interest for further research in the fields of immunology and infectious diseases.