HBD-2
Antimicrobial Peptide / Innate ImmunityAlso known as: Human Beta-Defensin 2, Beta-Defensin 2, DEFB4A, hBD-2
Beta-DefensinsResearch phase: PreclinicalRegulatory: Not approved as drug. Endogenous inducible antimicrobial peptide.
Mechanism
HBD-2 is an antimicrobial peptide induced by infection or inflammation at epithelial surfaces. It is one of the body's key inducible first-line defenses.
Technical detail
HBD-2 is a 41-amino acid inducible beta-defensin expressed in skin, lung, and GI epithelium upon stimulation by bacteria, IL-1β, or TNF-α via NF-κB signaling. It kills gram-negative bacteria and Candida through membrane disruption. Also acts as a chemoattractant for dendritic cells and T cells via CCR6.