{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n Although none of the provided abstracts address DEFB113 directly, several studies in this collection highlight the key roles of β‐defensin family members – proteins that share common antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions – at epithelial surfaces and in secretions. For example, genetic variability in DEFB1 (which encodes human β‐defensin–1) is shown to influence its salivary levels, thereby potentially affecting oral innate immunity and overall mucosal health."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "1"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Similarly, in dairy cattle, natural immunostimulatory treatments (using Carica papaya extract) upregulate β‐defensin transcripts, such as DEFB13, in milk somatic cells; this upregulation is associated with enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant responses that may contribute to reduced mastitis risk."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "2"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n "}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n "}, {"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n In addition, studies of human tonsillar tissues reveal that β‐defensins (including hBD‐1 and hBD‐3) are normally expressed at mucosal surfaces, providing a first line of defense against pathogens. Reduced expression of these peptides in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis suggests that sufficient β‐defensin production is critical for maintaining effective mucosal barrier function and controlling infections."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "3"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Complementary work exploring the transcriptome of antimicrobial factors in the epithelial barrier further underscores the dual role of β‐defensins in directly eliminating microbes and in modulating immune responses to infection."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "4"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n "}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n "}, {"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n In light of these findings, it is reasonable to infer that DEFB113—as a member of the β‐defensin family—likely contributes to innate immunity by exerting antimicrobial activity at mucosal surfaces, modulating inflammation and immune cell recruitment, and helping to maintain epithelial homeostasis. Understanding the regulation and function of such defensins offers valuable insights into their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a range of infectious and inflammatory conditions.\n "}]}, {"type": "rg", "children": [{"type": "r", "ref": 1, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Vania Polesello, Luisa Zupin, Roberto Di Lenarda, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Impact of DEFB1 gene regulatory polymorphisms on hBD-1 salivary concentration."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Arch Oral Biol (2015)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1016/j.archoralbio.2015.03.009"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2015.03.009"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "25939140"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25939140"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 2, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Tarek K Abouzed, Kadry M Sadek, Mousa M Ayoub, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Papaya extract upregulates the immune and antioxidants-related genes, and proteins expression in milk somatic cells of Friesian dairy cows."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) (2019)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1111/jpn.13032"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13032"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "30511402"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30511402"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 3, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "S L Ball, G P Siou, J A Wilson, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Expression and immunolocalisation of antimicrobial peptides within human palatine tonsils."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "J Laryngol Otol (2007)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1017/S0022215107006184"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215107006184"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "17319996"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17319996"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 4, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Jeffrey L Ebersole, Sreenatha Kirakodu, Linh Nguyen, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Gingival Transcriptome of Innate Antimicrobial Factors and the Oral Microbiome With Aging and Periodontitis."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Front Oral Health (2022)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.3389/froh.2022.817249"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2022.817249"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "35330821"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35330821"}]}]}]}