Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

9.7K
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
9.7K
Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity01:21

Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity

11.0K
The human immune system is a complex defense mechanism that protects the body from harmful pathogens and foreign substances. It comprises two crucial components: innate and adaptive immunity.
Innate immunity is the body's natural, nonspecific defense system that acts quickly to protect against pathogens. It incorporates physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes and cellular elements such as phagocytes and natural killer cells. This part of our immune system provides an immediate,...
11.0K
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

10.6K
Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
10.6K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

3.1K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.1K
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

3.0K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
3.0K
What is the Immune System?01:38

What is the Immune System?

100.3K
Overview
100.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Phylogenomic discordance and ancestral variation in rapidly radiating felids.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same author

Site-directed mutagenesis of α-L-rhamnosidase boosts its deglycosylation activity for the production of bioactive flavonoid glycosides.

International journal of biological macromolecules·2026
Same author

MOF-ionic liquid engineered polymer electrolyte for advanced solid-state sodium metal batteries.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2026
Same author

Developmental transition of brown adipose tissue from a thermogenic to a lipogenic phenotype in neonatal goats revealed by single-nucleus transcriptomics.

Zoological research·2026
Same author

Discovery of Dual A<sub>2A</sub>/A<sub>2B</sub> Adenosine Receptor Antagonist and Clinical Candidate INCB106385.

Journal of medicinal chemistry·2026
Same author

Dental pulp stem cell exosomes promote angiogenesis via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to treat androgenetic alopecia.

Stem cell research & therapy·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins
08:39

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins

Published on: December 24, 2017

6.6K

Defensins in innate immunity.

Le Zhao1, Wuyuan Lu

  • 1aFirst Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China bInstitute of Human Virology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA.

Current Opinion in Hematology
|November 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Defensins, crucial antimicrobial peptides, exhibit diverse functions in innate immunity. Recent findings highlight novel antibacterial actions and suggest theta-defensins as promising therapeutic agents.

More Related Videos

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group
07:49

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group

Published on: August 16, 2017

6.8K
Stimulation of Cytoplasmic DNA Sensing Pathways In Vitro and In Vivo
11:44

Stimulation of Cytoplasmic DNA Sensing Pathways In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: September 18, 2014

8.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins
08:39

Live-cell Imaging of Fungal Cells to Investigate Modes of Entry and Subcellular Localization of Antifungal Plant Defensins

Published on: December 24, 2017

6.6K
Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group
07:49

Creating and Applying a Reference to Facilitate the Discussion and Classification of Proteins in a Diverse Group

Published on: August 16, 2017

6.8K
Stimulation of Cytoplasmic DNA Sensing Pathways In Vitro and In Vivo
11:44

Stimulation of Cytoplasmic DNA Sensing Pathways In Vitro and In Vivo

Published on: September 18, 2014

8.3K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Defensins are key antimicrobial peptides in innate immunity, primarily found in neutrophils and epithelial cells.
  • They play vital roles in defending against infectious pathogens.
  • Research continues to explore their functions, structure-activity relationships, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding alpha- and theta-defensins, two structural classes of myeloid-derived defensins.
  • To examine their biological roles beyond innate immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on alpha- and theta-defensins.
  • Analysis of novel findings regarding their antibacterial mechanisms and therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

  • Human enteric alpha-defensin 6 forms nanonets to trap bacteria, preventing intestinal invasion.
  • Hydrophobicity, not cationicity, is key for human alpha-defensin function, enabling structural and functional versatility.
  • Theta-defensins show significant potential as broad-spectrum anti-infective and anti-inflammatory agents.

Conclusions:

  • Defensins act as versatile innate immune components against pathogens.
  • Their complex mechanisms and diverse functions warrant continued research and therapeutic exploration.