Cerrillo E, et al. - The following were the goals of this research: characterization of the concentration and utility of ileal and plasma α-defensins(α-Defs) in Crohn's disease (CD) and analysis of a potential epigenetic mechanism of α-Def expression. Findings demonstrated a correlation of the plasma α-Defs 1-3 concentrations with the degree of inflammation. In addition, plasma α-Defs 1-3 concentrations appeared to be specific biomarkers of ileal-CD at diagnosis. Data also showed permanent downregulation of ileal α-Def 5 expression by methylation.