Defensin stimulates the binding and degradation of LDL.

FH fibroblasts were incubated with 100 nmol/L ¹²⁵I-LDL in the presence (+) or absence (−) of 10 μmol/L defensin for 2 hours at 4°C. The cells were washed 4 times with PBS-BSA and then warmed to 37°C for the indicated times. Glycine buffer, pH 3.0, was added, and the cell surface–associated radioactivity in the presence (♦) or absence (▴) of defensin was measured. The cell supernatant was removed and the TCA-soluble radioactivity in the presence (▪) or absence (×) of defensin was measured. The experiment shown is representative of 3 experiments so performed.