Defensins in humans and animals

Defensins are immune peptides - HDP (Host Defense Peptides) that present high activity against viruses, bacteria and fungi in mammals, including humans. They are an important element of natural resistance in macroorganisms, when microorganisms couldn’t developed this resistance during the evolution. Defensins in vertebrate macroorganisms, have direct and indirect impact on germs, including stimulating the synthesis of immune substances such as cytokines, chemokines and growth factors.