Expression of antimicrobial peptides by bovine endothelial cells

► Antimicrobial peptide production by bovine endothelial cells was analyzed. ► Endothelial cells constitutively express β-defensins. ► Bacteria or bacterial components induce the expression of β-defensins in BUVEC.► Expression of β-defensins is dependent on autocrine TNF-α production in BUVEC.