Human neutrophil defensins (alpha-defensins, HNP1-3) belong to the family of cationic
trisulfide-containing microbicidal peptides. Besides microbicidal, the peptides exert
chemotactic, immunomodulating and cytotoxic activity and participate in host defense and
inflammation. Azurophilic granules of neutrophils contain human Neutrophil Peptide (HNP)-1-
4 which are highly homologous. The three principal human defensins, HNP1-3, are unique to
neutrophils and account for about 99 percent of the total defensin content of these cells.
Measured amount of defensins is 3-5 mg per million human neutrophils.
Activation of neutrophils leads to rapid release of defensins. Thus, only one cell type,
neutrophils, may be the source of HNP1-3 measured in plasma and other body fluids during
infection and inflammation. In normal plasma low levels of HNP1-3 are present ranging from
undetectable level to 50-100 ng/ml, while in septic conditions the levels of HNP1-3 might be
elevated to 10 mg/ml and even more. Activation of neutrophils in blood as occurs during
clotting, as well as long storage of anticoagulated blood leads to a release of HNP, thus
careful plasma sampling is important for possible detection of HNP. Defensins are relatively
resistant to proteolysis, low pH and boiling, but have a tendency to bind to a variety of
materials, including plastic and proteins.
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