Defensin Peptides vs Revision Skincare®: DEJ Technology vs Regenerative Innovation
Both DefenAge and Revision Skincare are built around peptide science — but the difference between them is not one of degree. It is one of kind: two patented bioidentical molecules that command the body's own regenerative system versus a sophisticated stack of commercially available cosmetic peptides.
The Dermal-Epidermal Junction (DEJ) is the structural interface between the epidermis and the dermis. Revision Skincare's platform is built around the observation that this junction flattens with age — losing the wavy "rete ridge" structure that increases surface area and mechanical adhesion between skin layers. Revision uses a combination of commercially available cosmetic peptides, prebiotics, postbiotics, and botanical extracts, formulated around the goal of supporting DEJ structural proteins including Collagen IV, Collagen VII, and Laminin-5.
Revision is a well-established professional skincare line with genuine clinical data and loyal providers. Their DEJ concept identifies real structural biology. The distinction worth understanding clearly: every individual peptide in a Revision product — from Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 to Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 — is commercially available from ingredient suppliers and used by hundreds of brands worldwide. The DEJ targeting concept is a formulation strategy, not a new molecule class.
Both DefenAge and Revision Skincare use peptide science. So what actually separates them at the science level?
Revision Skincare's platform combines 6–8 commercially available cosmetic peptides per product — Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 (Matrixyl Synthe'6 from Sederma), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll from DSM), Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 (Progeline from Lucas Meyer), and others — with antioxidants, prebiotics, and postbiotics organized around the DEJ targeting concept. Revision's published clinical studies show visible improvement in fine lines, firmness, and skin tone. Their innovation is in how they combine and formulate established ingredients. The peptide molecules themselves are available to any cosmetic manufacturer worldwide.
DefenAge Age-Repair Defensins® are built around two defined, lab-synthesized patented peptides — Alpha-Defensin 5 and Beta-Defensin 3. These are bioidentical versions of innate immune molecules the human body naturally produces. They are fully synthetic, vegan, and free from any biological tissue. Their mechanisms are published in peer-reviewed journals with named receptors and defined pathways. Five published peer-reviewed studies document visible improvements across face, eye area, body, and post-procedure contexts.
Both platforms have real clinical evidence and genuine provider loyalty. The meaningful distinction is whether the core innovation is a new formulation of known ingredients — or a new biological class of molecule that no other brand can access.
Revision Skincare may be the right choice for providers who want a comprehensive multi-category skincare ecosystem with dedicated DEJ support, prebiotic/postbiotic positioning, and high brand recognition across their patient base.
For foundational context on how defensin peptides differ from retinoid-based approaches, see Defensin Peptides vs Retinol — the starting point for understanding the defensin difference.
Revision Skincare's published clinical studies on DEJ Face Cream, Nectifirm Advanced, and other products demonstrate visible cosmetic improvement in study participants over 12-week vehicle-controlled periods. These are legitimate studies with independent statistical analysis. DefenAge has five published peer-reviewed studies across four journals — including a multi-center, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial (Taub et al, JDD 2018, PMID: 29601620) — with defined mechanisms for each active peptide.
The core distinction is molecular class and exclusivity. Revision's platform is built on commercially available cosmetic peptides that any lab can purchase and formulate with today. DefenAge's defensin peptides are a patented biological class — innate immune signaling molecules — exclusive to one company and unavailable to any other manufacturer. More peptides versus different peptides: that is the question this page answers.
Two patented, lab-synthesized bioidentical peptides — Alpha-Defensin 5 and Beta-Defensin 3. Fully synthetic, vegan, no human- or animal-derived material. Alpha-Defensin 5 is associated in peer-reviewed research with LGR6+ stem cell activation. Beta-Defensin 3 has been shown to induce dose-dependent growth factor production from fibroblasts. Five published peer-reviewed clinical studies. Exclusive to DefenAge — no other brand can legally formulate with these molecules.
A multi-peptide formulation platform combining 6–8 commercially available cosmetic peptides per product with antioxidants, prebiotics (Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide), and postbiotics (Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract), organized around the Dermal-Epidermal Junction targeting concept. Published clinical studies on DEJ Face Cream, DEJ Eye Cream, Nectifirm, and Nectifirm Advanced. Acquired by Gryphon Investors (private equity) in 2021. Available on Amazon, Dermstore, and RevisionSkincare.com. Note: Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract is marine-derived — unlike DefenAge's fully synthetic, vegan defensin peptides, which contain no human-, animal-, or marine-derived material.
The Published Clinical Evidence — Study by Study
Understanding the evidence base for each technology is the most important part of this comparison.
Multi-center, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial
Participants using the DefenAge defensin regimen demonstrated statistically significant visible improvement across 22 measures of skin quality — tone, texture, firmness, lines, pore size, and overall appearance — versus vehicle control. Evaluation included clinical grading, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, photography, and ultrasound.
JDD 2018;17(4):426–441. PMID: 29601620
Periocular wrinkles — independent follow-up trial
An independent follow-up trial in which participants demonstrated significant visible improvement in periocular fine lines and wrinkles with the DefenAge BioSerum versus control — replicating and extending the 2018 findings in an independent study setting.
JDD 2023;22(9):874–880. PMID: 37683059
Eye cream trial — periocular appearance
Published trial of the DefenAge 3D Eye Radiance Cream documenting visible improvement in periocular wrinkles and skin quality in study participants. Peer-reviewed in a dedicated cosmetic dermatology journal.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(8):2000–2005. PMID: 32614135
Body cream trial — skin composition
Published trial of the DefenAge 10 Luxe Hand and Body Cream documenting visible improvement in skin composition and quality — extending defensin clinical evidence beyond the face to body skin.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(2):620–627. PMID: 35621235
Microneedling with defensins vs microneedling with PRP — a published comparison
In this published pilot study, participants in the microneedling combined with defensins group demonstrated greater visible improvement in that study setting compared to participants in the microneedling combined with PRP. This comparison is relevant for providers evaluating defensin technology alongside other regenerative options in post-procedure protocols — including peptide-rich serums.
Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2018;26(4):447–454. PMID: 30213426
Revision Skincare's published clinical evidence: Revision has conducted 12-week, vehicle-controlled clinical studies on DEJ Face Cream, DEJ Eye Cream, DEJ Daily Boosting Serum, Nectifirm, and Nectifirm Advanced at third-party research centers with independent statistical analysis. These studies demonstrate visible cosmetic improvement in study participants. They document that Revision's formulations produce visible outcomes. They do not individually characterize the molecular mechanism of each peptide at the receptor or pathway level — distinguishing formulation outcome studies from the published basic science literature supporting defensin mechanism of action.
How Do Defensin Peptides Differ from Revision Skincare's DEJ Peptides?
Defensin peptides and Revision's DEJ peptides are both positioned as advanced anti-aging science, but they differ in three fundamental ways: molecular class (innate immune molecules vs. commercially available cosmetic peptides), exclusivity (patented, unsourceable by any other brand vs. available from any ingredient supplier), and mechanism (LGR6+ stem cell activation and growth factor induction vs. structural DEJ protein support). The sections below explain each distinction in detail.
Defensins are also compared to other peptide-based professional systems, including TriHex Technology® (ALASTIN) and SkinBetter Science® — each representing a different peptide formulation approach.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Category | DefenAge® Age-Repair Defensins® | Revision Skincare® DEJ Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Molecule class | New biological class — patented innate immune defensin peptides. No prior topical skincare history before DefenAge. | Commercially available cosmetic peptide category. Established ingredient class used across hundreds of brands worldwide. |
| Exclusivity | Patented molecule. No other company can source, manufacture, or formulate with defensin peptides. | Formulation trade secret. Every individual peptide purchasable from Sederma, DSM, and Lucas Meyer by any cosmetic lab. |
| Number of active peptides | 2 patented defensin peptides with defined mechanisms, known amino acid sequences, and published receptor targets. | 6–8 commodity peptides per product. Nectifirm Advanced alone contains eight distinct peptide ingredients. |
| Stem cell activity | Alpha-Defensin 5 associated with LGR6+ master stem cell activation in published peer-reviewed research. | No published evidence of stem cell activation associated with Revision's peptide ingredients. |
| Growth factor induction | Beta-Defensin 3: dose-dependent FGF, PDGF, VEGF induction from fibroblasts documented (Takahashi et al., Front Immunol 2021). | No published evidence of dose-dependent growth factor cascade induction from Revision's formulations. |
| DEJ biology | Defensins address both sides of the DEJ simultaneously — LGR6+ stem cell activation in the epidermis; fibroblast growth factor signaling in the dermis. Addresses upstream biology, not only the structural interface. | Dedicated DEJ targeting concept. Rhamnose, Silanetriol, and Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract formulated to specifically support DEJ structural proteins including Collagen IV, VII, and Laminin-5. |
| Published product studies | 5 peer-reviewed studies across 4 journals — face serum, eye cream, body cream, periocular RCT, microneedling comparison. | Published clinical studies across multiple products; visible formulation outcomes demonstrated; molecular pathway characterization has not yet been fully published in product-specific peer-reviewed research. |
| Age-decline narrative | Natural defensin levels decline 30%+ after age 70 (Shimizu et al., GeroScience 2022). Topical supplementation addresses a documented biological deficit. | DEJ flattening narrative. True structural biology — but does not address the upstream cause of DEJ flattening (declining regenerative signaling above and below the junction). |
| Microbiome support | Defensins are innate immune molecules — upstream of microbiome regulation by biological function, not by additive ingredient. | Dedicated prebiotic (Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide) and postbiotic (Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract) ingredients. Explicit microbiome support across product line. |
| Distribution | Professional exclusive. Not available on defenage.com, Amazon, Dermstore, or any online retailer. Provider captures 100% of revenue. | Available via RevisionSkincare.com, Amazon, Dermstore, LovelySkin, and authorized online retailers. Available through multiple online retail channels in addition to provider offices. |
| Ownership | Independent, science-founded. No private equity growth mandates. | Acquired by Gryphon Investors (private equity) in 2021. Growing SKU count and expanded online distribution consistent with PE growth model. |
| Vegan / synthetic | Fully synthetic. No human- or animal-derived material in defensin peptides. | Formulations include Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, a marine-derived postbiotic. Ingredient sourcing varies by product. |
Four Meaningful Differences Worth Understanding
Two molecules vs. eight molecules
Nectifirm Advanced contains eight different peptides. DEJ Face Cream contains at least four. Each provides a small, specific signal — one nudges collagen, another reduces inflammation, another supports basement membrane adhesion. These outcomes have not been demonstrated in published peer-reviewed research for conventional cosmetic peptides. Defensins deliver two molecules that command the body's own regenerative biology. In pharmacology, more ingredients does not reliably mean more biology. It often means the formulator does not have a molecule strong enough to lead.
Upstream command vs. downstream maintenance
Revision's DEJ concept targets structural proteins at the dermal-epidermal junction — important maintenance. But the DEJ flattens because of declining stem cell activity, reduced growth factor production, and slowing cell turnover. Defensins address the upstream cause — activating LGR6+ stem cells and inducing fibroblast growth factor production — rather than the downstream structural symptom. Address the biology that builds the DEJ, and the DEJ is supported from within.
Patented class vs. available ingredients
Every peptide in Revision's line can be purchased from cosmetic ingredient suppliers — Sederma (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38), DSM (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5), Lucas Meyer (Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2). They appear in products from premium professional brands through mass-market lines. Defensin peptides cannot be sourced by any other company. The distinction between formulation exclusivity and molecular exclusivity is meaningful: one protects the recipe, the other protects the science.
Biology-first vs. formulation-first
Revision's brand narrative leads with formulation sophistication: "DEJ Targeting Blend," "Prebiotic Innovation," "Pathway Technology." These are strategies for combining known ingredients. DefenAge leads with biology: defensin levels decline 30%+ with age, and stem cell activation has been associated with restored regenerative signaling in peer-reviewed research. One narrative describes what is in the bottle. The other describes what has been associated with changes in the body. In medical aesthetics, the biological story carries distinct weight.
Which Platform Is Right for Your Patient?
DefenAge may be right for your patient if:
- They have already tried conventional peptide-based products and want to understand what is fundamentally different about defensin technology
- They are motivated by published mechanism of action and peer-reviewed molecular biology, not only formulation claims
- They value professional exclusivity — knowing the product they use cannot be purchased on Amazon or Dermstore
- They are concerned about skin cell turnover slowdown with age and want a biological rationale for addressing it
- They prefer a focused portfolio built around a single, deeply studied scientific platform
- They are sensitive to products containing marine-derived extracts — defensin peptides are fully synthetic and vegan
Revision Skincare may be well suited when:
- The patient values a comprehensive one-brand ecosystem — SPF (Intellishade), cleansers, serums, eye, neck, body, and retinol products all under one roof
- Published 12-week vehicle-controlled visible improvement data for the specific product is the primary evidence standard
- The patient specifically wants dedicated prebiotic/postbiotic microbiome support alongside anti-aging treatment
- DEJ structural biology resonates as an educational concept with that particular patient
- The practice prefers to recommend a brand with broad provider network and high patient-facing recognition
Revision Skincare is a well-formulated, well-marketed professional line with genuine brand equity and loyal providers. Their DEJ concept is real structural biology, and their clinical studies show visible cosmetic improvement in study participants. These are not small things.
But the entire Revision platform is built on formulating with widely available cosmetic peptides used across the industry — and calling the combination proprietary. DefenAge's approach is categorically different: two patented molecules that activate biology no commodity peptide has been shown to access — LGR6+ stem cell activation and dose-dependent growth factor induction from fibroblasts, both documented in peer-reviewed journals.
The question for every provider is not whether Revision products produce visible cosmetic improvement — the evidence supports that they do. The question is whether stacking more of the same ingredient class creates fundamentally different outcomes, or whether breakthrough biological outcomes require a breakthrough molecule. Five peer-reviewed studies across four journals, with a mechanism of action published in immunology and geroscience, suggest defensins occupy a different category.
What Dermatologists Who Conducted the Research Have Observed
"What distinguished defensins in the study setting was not one measure of visible improvement — it was the breadth. Twenty-two parameters, statistically significant, in a multi-center, double-blind design. That breadth of visible change points to something upstream of the formulation."
Amy Taub, MD Board-Certified Dermatologist. Principal Investigator, Taub et al. JDD 2018 (PMID: 29601620) and Hartman et al. JDD 2023 (PMID: 37683059).
"With defensins, the answer to 'what is actually different about this product' is straightforward: the active molecule itself did not exist in topical skincare before DefenAge. That is a different kind of conversation than explaining a new formulation of known ingredients."
Melda Isaac, MD Board-Certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic Dermatology Specialist. Washington, D.C.
"The depth of the science behind the defensin mechanism — LGR6+ stem cell signaling, growth factor induction from fibroblasts — is the kind of biological rationale that makes the clinical observations legible. When you understand the mechanism, the visible outcomes make sense at a cellular level."
Gregory Keller, MD Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon. UCLA Division of Head and Neck Surgery. Co-investigator, Taub et al. JDD 2018 (PMID: 29601620).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are DefenAge defensin peptides just another type of cosmetic peptide like the ones in Revision's products?
No. Defensin peptides are a different biological class from conventional cosmetic peptides. Alpha-Defensin 5 and Beta-Defensin 3 are innate immune signaling molecules — the same molecules your body uses to coordinate skin defense and regeneration. They are not signal peptides like Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 or Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, which are synthetic sequences designed to mimic collagen fragments and provide targeted collagen-stimulating signals. Defensin peptides are patented, not commercially available to any other manufacturer, and have been associated in peer-reviewed research with LGR6+ stem cell activation and dose-dependent growth factor induction — outcomes that have not been attributed to conventional cosmetic peptides in the published literature.
Does Revision Skincare have clinical evidence? How does it compare to DefenAge's research?
Revision Skincare has published clinical studies — including vehicle-controlled studies on DEJ Face Cream, DEJ Eye Cream, Nectifirm, and Nectifirm Advanced — demonstrating visible cosmetic improvement in study participants over 12-week periods. These are legitimate studies conducted at third-party research centers with independent statistical analysis. DefenAge has five peer-reviewed studies published across four journals, including a multi-center, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial (Taub et al. 2018, PMID: 29601620). The meaningful distinction is not whether both have evidence — both do — but what kind of evidence it is. Revision's research demonstrates that their formulations produce visible cosmetic outcomes. DefenAge's research additionally characterizes the molecular mechanism of action through the supporting basic science literature: specific molecules activating specific pathways, published in peer-reviewed immunology and geroscience journals.
What is Revision's DEJ Targeting Technology, and why doesn't DefenAge use the same approach?
The Dermal-Epidermal Junction (DEJ) is the structural interface between the epidermis and the dermis. Revision's platform is built around the observation that this junction flattens with age, losing the wavy rete ridge structure that increases surface area and mechanical adhesion between skin layers. Revision uses ingredients including Rhamnose, Silanetriol, and Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract to support DEJ structural proteins like Collagen IV, Collagen VII, and Laminin-5. DefenAge's defensin peptides work on both sides of the DEJ simultaneously — Alpha-Defensin 5 activates LGR6+ stem cells in the epidermis, and Beta-Defensin 3 signals fibroblasts in the dermis to produce growth factors. The biological rationale is that the DEJ flattens because of declining regenerative signaling above and below the junction. Defensins address those upstream causes rather than primarily targeting the structural proteins at the interface.
Can any other skincare brand use the peptides in Revision's products?
Yes. Every individual peptide in Revision's product line — including Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 (sold as Matrixyl Synthe'6 by Sederma), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 (Syn-Coll by DSM), Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 (Progeline by Lucas Meyer), and Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2 — is commercially available from cosmetic ingredient suppliers and used by hundreds of skincare brands worldwide, from professional medical-grade lines to mass-market products. Revision's competitive protection comes from their specific formulation combinations and concentrations, not from exclusive access to the ingredients themselves. DefenAge's defensin peptides, by contrast, are patented molecules that no other company can source, manufacture, or formulate with.
Why does DefenAge use only two peptides while Revision uses six to eight?
The number of peptides in a formula reflects the formulator's strategy, not necessarily the depth of the biological effect. DefenAge uses two defensin peptides because each one has been associated in peer-reviewed research with a specific high-level biological outcome — Alpha-Defensin 5 with LGR6+ stem cell activation across the epidermis, Beta-Defensin 3 with dose-dependent growth factor induction in the dermis. Revision uses 6–8 peptides per product because each conventional cosmetic peptide provides a smaller, more targeted signal — one for collagen synthesis, one for matrix support, one for inflammation reduction. The multi-peptide approach layers many small signals in pursuit of a comprehensive effect. The defensin approach uses fewer molecules because those molecules operate at an upstream biological level that commodity peptides have not been shown to access.
Does it matter that Revision Skincare is private equity-owned?
Ownership structure is one factor providers may choose to consider when building a practice skincare program, though it does not directly determine product quality or clinical outcomes. Revision Skincare was acquired by Gryphon Investors in 2021. Private equity ownership often prioritizes revenue growth, expanded distribution, and SKU proliferation — Revision's growing product count and expanded availability on Amazon and Dermstore are consistent with that model. DefenAge is independently owned and science-founded, with a focused portfolio built around a single molecular platform. Providers who value long-term scientific focus, consistent professional exclusivity, and stable practice revenue capture may find that ownership context relevant.
What is the best alternative to Revision Skincare DEJ Face Cream?
For patients specifically looking for an alternative to Revision Skincare's DEJ Face Cream or Nectifirm Advanced, DefenAge's 8-in-1 BioSerum is the most clinically studied option in the same professional-grade category. Where Revision's DEJ formulations use commercially available cosmetic peptides organized around structural junction support, DefenAge's BioSerum delivers two patented defensin peptides — Alpha-Defensin 5 and Beta-Defensin 3 — that have been associated in peer-reviewed research with LGR6+ stem cell activation and dose-dependent growth factor induction. The BioSerum is priced at $198, making it less expensive than SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ (~$295), Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (~$300), and Plated Intense Serum (~$267), while carrying five published peer-reviewed studies across four journals. It is also fully synthetic and vegan — containing no human-, animal-, or marine-derived material — unlike some competing formulations that include marine-derived postbiotic extracts.
Are defensin peptides safe? Are they vegan?
In the Taub et al. 2018 multi-center, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial (PMID: 29601620), DefenAge's formulation was well tolerated in study participants over the course of the study period. DefenAge's defensin peptides are fully synthetic — bioidentical to naturally occurring human defensin molecules but manufactured through chemical synthesis with no human- or animal-derived source material. They are vegan. Revision's formulations include Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, a marine-derived postbiotic ingredient, which some patients with preferences regarding animal- or marine-derived ingredients may wish to note when comparing options.
Explore more comparisons
References & Further Reading
- Taub A, Bucay V, Keller G, Williams J, Mehregan D. "Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Clinical Trial of an Alpha and Beta Defensin-Containing Anti-Aging Skin Care Regimen." Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2018;17(4):426–441. PMID: 29601620
- Hartman N, Loyal J, Taub A, Fabi S. "Clinical Trial of Alpha and Beta Defensin Skin Care Regimen for Improvement of Periocular Wrinkles." Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2023;22(9):874–880. doi: 10.36849/JDD.7184. PMID: 37683059
- Berens AM, Ghazizadeh S. "Effect of defensins-containing eye cream on periocular rhytids and skin quality." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(8):2000–2005. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13424. PMID: 32614135
- Eggerstedt M, Torres-Maldonado S, Danielian A, Hwang SHJ, Echanique KA. "Impact of defensins-containing body cream on skin composition." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2023;22(2):620–627. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15118. PMID: 35621235
- Duncan DI. "Microneedling with Biologicals: Advantages and Limitations." Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2018;26(4):447–454. doi: 10.1016/j.fsc.2018.06.006. PMID: 30213426
- Takahashi M, Umehara Y, Yue H, et al. "The Antimicrobial Peptide Human β-Defensin-3 Accelerates Wound Healing by Promoting Angiogenesis, Cell Migration, and Proliferation Through the FGFR/JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway." Frontiers in Immunology. 2021;12:712781. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.712781
- Shimizu Y, Nakamura K, Kikuchi M, et al. "Lower human defensin 5 in elderly people compared to middle-aged." GeroScience. 2022;44(2):997–1009. PMID: 34105106
- Grove GL, Kligman AM. "Age-associated changes in human epidermal cell renewal." Journal of Gerontology. 1983;38:137–142.
DefenAge® and Age-Repair Defensins® are registered trademarks of Progenitor Biologics LLC. Revision Skincare®, DEJ®, Nectifirm®, Intellishade®, and Nectifirm Advanced™ are trademarks of Revision Skincare. Matrixyl Synthe'6® is a trademark of Sederma. Syn-Coll® is a trademark of DSM. Progeline™ is a trademark of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics. All product, brand, and ingredient names are the property of their respective owners. Technology comparisons are based on publicly available ingredient information, published peer-reviewed research, and scientific literature available as of the date of publication. DefenAge makes no claims regarding the efficacy of any competitor's products or technologies. This content is intended for informational purposes for consumers and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making skincare decisions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. DefenAge products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.