Figure 3.

Potential functions of hBDs in response to caries-related pathogens and their PAMPs. Once the PRRs expressed in odontoblatsts sense caries-pathogens and their PAMPs diffused into dentinal tubules, odontoblasts produce and release antimicrobial peptides, such as defensins and NO, which kill microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. BDs are also important antibiotic-like effectors of innate immunity and induce the production of chemokines to attract inflammatory cells to the infection site.