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Science 337 (6093): 420-421

Copyright © 2012 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science

HD6 Defensin Nanonets

André J. Ouellette, and Michael E. Selsted

The lining of the mammalian small intestine—the epithelium—is the main organ for nutrient absorption and also prevents gut microbes from crossing the gut wall and establishing systemic infections. Although humans benefit from interactions with resident gut microbes (1, 2), mechanisms exist to maintain a balance between supporting gastrointestinal microbiota and ensuring the integrity of the gastrointestinal epithelial barrier. For example, peptides called α-defensins influence the composition of the microbial consortium while also providing immunity against certain mucosal infections (3, 4). On page 477 of this issue, Chu et al. (5) report that human α-defensin (HD) 6 molecules self-assemble to form nanonets that entrap microorganisms and block their translocation across the epithelial barrier.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USC Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601, USA.

E-mail: aouellet{at}usc.edu

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