Recombinant human defensin beta-2 (BD-2), is a 4.3 kDa peptide comprised of 41 amino acid residues. BD-2, a member of the beta defensin family, is secreted at epithelial surfaces of the skin and respiratory tract and by some leukocytes. This defensin is induced by bacterial products and cytokines during inflammation and functions as part of the innate immune system, having a wide ranging antimicrobial activity. BD-2 also functions as a chemoattractant to immature dendritic cells and memory T cells and acts as a ligand for TLR4, upregulating co-stimulatory molecules and inducing dendritic cell maturation.