R&D Systems now offers Recombinant Mouse Beta-Defensin 3 (Catalog # 5987-BD ). Beta-Defensin 3, also known as BD3 and DEFB-3, is a multifunctional, cationic peptide that is widely expressed by epithelial cells, including keratinocytes and airway epithelial cells. BD3 is up-regulated in response to proinflammatory cytokines, microbial and viral infections, and skin wounds. It displays strain-specific microbicidal activity toward a broad spectrum of bacteria and yeast, and stimulates monocyte migration, mast cell activation, and a mast cell-dependent increase in vascular permeability. In addition, BD3 inhibits viral infectivity by interfering with interactions between viruses and target cell surface molecules. It has been shown to protect against cellular infection by HIV-1, HSV-1 and -2, vaccinia virus, and influenza virus.

The Anti-Microbial Activity of Beta-Defensin 3 Inhibits E. coli Growth. E. coli was grown in the presence of the indicated concentrations of Recombinant Mouse Beta-Defensin 3 (Catalog # 5987-BD). Bacterial growth was assessed by monitoring the optical densities of the cultures at 600 nm.