title: Neutrophil-derived defensins as modulators of innate immune function.
abstract: Cationic host defence peptides are an evolutionarily conserved component of the immune system and have been found across a wide variety of species. In lower organisms they comprise a major component of the defensive repertoire, whereas in higher species they are a part of the complex immune system dedicated to protecting against infection. Human neutrophils contain large amounts of the cationic alpha-defensin peptides, HNP-1-3, as well as HNP-4, which is present in lower amounts, while two Paneth cell alpha-defensins, HD-5 and HD-6, are also found in the gut. It is now becoming clear that alpha-defensins have multiple functions in the immune system; however, it is also apparent that although there is redundancy in their function, they also each have unique roles within the ever-increasing complexity of the immune system.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rehaume
authors.forename: Robert E W
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hancock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010271:Parasites / Q000276:immunology; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D023084:alpha-Defensins