<unk> s are a family of vertebrate defensins. The<unk> s are antimicrobial peptides implicated in the resistance of epithelial surfaces to microbial colonization. Defensins are 2-6 kDa, cationic, microbicidal peptides active against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses, containing three pairs of intramolecular disulfide bonds. On the basis of their size and pattern of disulfide bonding, mammalian defensins are classified into alpha,<unk>  and theta categories. Every mammalian species explored thus far has<unk> s. In cows, as many as 13<unk> s exist in neutrophils. However, in other species,<unk> s are more often produced by epithelial cells lining various organs (e.g. the epidermis, bronchial tree and genitourinary tract. Human, rabbit and guinea-pig<unk> s, as well as human<unk> -2 (hBD2), induce the activation and degranulation of mast cells, resulting in the release of histamine and prostaglandin D2.
Beta defensin
Alpha defensin
Defensin
Immunoevasin
Leukotriene
Histamine
Neutrophil elastase
Antileukotriene