Avian defensins

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Modulation of defensin expression may be one way to improve animal health and to reduce zoonotic diseases. Defensins are
    small, cationic, and amphipathic cysteine-rich antibiotic peptides found in plants, insects, mammals and birds. Whereas a- and udefensins
    appear to be absent in birds, several b-defensins have been isolated from avian heterophils. In addition, b-defensins were
    found to be constitutively or inducibly expressed at mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, intestinal and urogenital tracts. In this
    review the current knowledge of the defensin repertoire of birds, their tissue-specific expression, regulation and corresponding
    biological functions are described.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-18
    Number of pages18
    JournalVeterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
    Volume124
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Keywords

    • Defensins
    • ntimicrobial Peptides
    • Innate immunity
    • Birds

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