Beta Defensin 3 exhibits antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria S.aureus and S.pyogenes, Gram negative bacteria P.aeruginosa and E.coli and the yeast C.albicans. It kills multiresistant S.aureus and vancomycin resistant E.faecium, but it appears to have no significant hemolytic activity. Beta Defensin 3 is highly expressed in skin and tonsils, and to a lesser extent in trachea, uterus, kidney, thymus, adenoid, pharynx and tongue. Low expression is observed in salivary gland, bone marrow, colon, stomach, polyp and larynx, with no expression in small intestine. Expression is induced by infection of bacteria and by interferon gamma. Beta Defensin 3 belongs to the beta defensin family.