Defensin Beta 123 (DEFb123)

DEFb123 is secreted and is a member of the beta defensin protein family. Beta defensin genes are found in several clusters throughout the genome, with this gene mapping to a cluster at 20q11.1.DEFB123 exerted antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which was assessed by microbroth dilution assay and radial diffusion zone assay. Moreover, DEFB123 prevented LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secretion in a murine monocyte cell line (RAW264.7). Accordingly, DEFB123 abolished LPS-mediated MAPK induction in these cells. Protection against LPS-mediated effects was then investigated in a murine model of acute sepsis. synthetic beta-defensin DEFB123 prevents LPS-induced mortality in C57BL/6 mice in a therapeutic approach.