Defensins at the Mucosal Surface: Latest Insights into Defensin-Virus Interactions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Defensins are innate immune effector peptides expressed at mucosal surfaces throughout the human body and are potently antiviral in vitro . The role of defensins in viral pathogenesis in vivo is poorly understood; however, recent studies have revealed that defensin-virus interactions in vivo are complicated and distinct from their proposed antiviral mechanisms in vitro . These findings highlight the need for additional research that connects defensin neutralization of viruses in cell culture to in vivo antiviral mechanisms.