Beta-defensins are antimicrobial peptides produced by several cell types, including respiratory epithelia and leukocytes. Expression of some beta-defensins is increased by bacterial-induced inflammatory responses whereas expression of other beta-defensins is constitutive. Two beta-defensins are expressed in lungs of sheep (sheep beta-defensin-1 and -2; SBD-1/-2) and expression of SBD-1 is incre...

Defensins are potent, ancient natural antibiotics that are present in organisms ranging from lower organisms to humans. Although the structures of several defensins have been well characterized, the dynamics of only a few have been studied. This review discusses the diverse dynamics of two plant defensins for which the structure and dynamics have been characterized, both in the free state and i...

Abstract Human beta defensins (hBDs) may play an important role in the progression of lichen sclerosus (LS), due to their ability induce excessive stimulation extracellular matrix synthesis and fibroblast activation. The genetic individual produce defensins, presence microbes influencing defensin production, sensitivity together regulate formation ever-changing balance between levels microbiome...

Small cysteine-rich defensins are one of the largest groups of host defense peptides present in all plants. Many plant defensins exhibit potent in vitro antifungal activity against a broad-spectrum of fungal pathogens and therefore have the potential to be used as antifungal agents in transgenic crops. In order to harness the full potential of plant defensins for diseases control, it is crucial...

α-defensins are abundant antimicrobial peptides with broad, potent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities in vitro. Although their contribution to host defense against bacteria in vivo has been demonstrated, comparable studies of their antiviral activity in vivo are lacking. Using a mouse model deficient in activated α-defensins in the small intestine, we show that Paneth cell α-de...

BACKGROUND Local defense mechanisms are important for the integrity of the peritoneum, but few details are known about the expression patterns of antimicrobial proteins such as human defensin in normal and damaged peritoneum. METHODS Part A: The expression of different defensins in normal (n = 12), inflamed (n = 5), and metastatic peritoneum (n = 4) and in cultured human peritoneal mesothelia...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In this study we examined whether prestorage leucocyte reduction prevents the accumulation of bioreactive substances in red cell units. MATERIALS AND METHODS Measurements were performed in the supernatants of buffy-coat-depleted (standard red cells) and leucocyte-reduced (filtered red cells) red cell units. The effect of storage was evaluated by taking repetitive sam...

For many years, β-defensins were best known for their antimicrobial activity. However, β-defensins also exert immunomodulatory functions, such as the chemotactic recruitment of immune cells via chemokine receptors. We demonstrated that mouse β-defensin 14 recruits CCR6(+) B cells into fibrosarcomas, resulting in enhanced angiogenesis and tumor development.

BACKGROUND CD8(+) T cells can control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through the lysis of infected cells and the release of soluble mediators, such as macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 beta, which prevent entry of HIV and/or inhibit HIV replication. Because neutrophils represent a major source of alpha-defensins and, to a lesser extent, MIP-1 beta, we determined whether leukotriene B(...

BACKGROUND Big defensin is an antimicrobial peptide composed of a highly hydrophobic N-terminal region and a cationic C-terminal region containing six cysteine residues involved in three internal disulfide bridges. While big defensin sequences have been reported in various mollusk species, few studies have been devoted to their sequence diversity, gene organization and their expression in respo...