Avian beta defensins are robust and efficient against pathogenic enterobacteriaceae
Abstract
Avian beta defensins (AvBDs) are major components of the molecular arsenal of innate immunity. AvBD2 and AvBD7 isolated from chicken bone marrow represent therapeutic candidates to fight bacterial pathogens [Derache et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2009]. However, their resistance to proteolytic enzymes of mucosal sites, and their specific activity towards clinical isolates of enterobacteriaceae remain questionable and were investigated.