β-Defensin 3

β-defensin 3 is a member of the defensin class of antimicrobial peptides. β-defensins exert host defense responses against viruses, bacteria, and fungi through the binding and permeabilizing of microbial membranes. β-defensin 3 expression is stimulated by IFN-γ and is an important molecule during adaptive immunity. β-defensin 3 functions to activate monocytes and mast cells, and has antibacterial functions towards Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.