Effect of defensin on macrophage phenotype.

Defensins are small proteins (peptides) that are present in all species from fish to humans. They are known to be antimicrobials and are able to kill germs (bacteria and virsuses) that can cause us to be ill. Humans have more than 40 defensins and we have found a link between obesity and defensin production, where more defensin protects against obesity. We wish to look at the properties of immune cells in the obese situation to see if their properties are different from normal and to clarify the link of defensins to obesity.