Beta-defensin 3 is a novel, non-hemolytic antimicrobial cationic peptide originally isolated from human lesional psoriatic scales and keratinocyte clones. It is a very small (2-6 kD) yet potent salt-insensitive broad spectrum antimicrobial that targets many pathogenic microbes such as multiresistant S. aureus, vancomyosin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses.
