Different defensins tackle bacteria and inflammatory signals

Antimicrobial defence involves both controlling bacteria and responding to their inflammatory components. In a collaboration with IRTA, we studied five recombinant bovine β-defensins produced in Lactococcus lactis.

The proteins showed distinct activities: BNBD4 was particularly active against Escherichia coli, while the tracheal antimicrobial peptide, TAP, stood out for binding and neutralising lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These laboratory results suggest complementary ways to investigate bacterial control and inflammation. They do not yet establish efficacy in patients with sepsis.

Published in Veterinary Research.