Journal of Bioanalysis & Biomedicine

Defensins: More than Nature’s Anti-bug Spray?

Abstract

Erik de Leeuw

Human defensins were originally identified as natural antimicrobial peptides that protect the host from infections. More recently, novel biological functions of these peptides have been described, expanding their role as natural antimicrobials. Here, our current understanding of this expanding role of human α-defensins is reviewed, with emphasis on antibacterial killing, bacterial toxin neutralization and immunity.