HNP1
HNP-1 stands for human neutrophil peptide-1, also known as alpha-defensin 1. It is a small cationic antimicrobial peptide produced by neutrophils and is part of the human defensin family. HNP-1 is stored in azurophilic granules and is released during neutrophil activation in response to infection or injury, contributing to the first line of innate immune defense.
The mature HNP-1 peptide is approximately 29-30 amino acids long and contains multiple cysteine residues forming
Beyond direct antimicrobial effects, HNP-1 can modulate the immune response by acting as a chemoattractant for
HNP-1 is encoded by genes within the alpha-defensin gene cluster on chromosome 8, including DEFA1 and DEFA3;