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Endogenous production of antimicrobial peptides in innate immunity and human disease

Endogenous production of antimicrobial peptides in innate immunity and human disease Antimicrobial peptides are diverse and evolutionarily ancient molecules produced by all living organisms. Peptides belonging to the cathelicidin and defensin gene families exhibit an immune strategy as they defend against infection by inhibiting microbial survival, and modify hosts through triggering tissue-specific defense and repair events. A variety of processes have evolved in microbes to evade the action of antimicrobial peptides, including the ability to degrade or inactivate antimicrobial peptides, or suppress host production of the peptide in response to infection. Animal models and clinical investigations have shown that an absence of cathelicidin or defensin antimicrobials can lead to disease. In this article, we review important recent advances in understanding the biology of antimicrobial peptides and their role in normal immunity and human disease. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Current Allergy and Asthma Reports Springer Journals

Endogenous production of antimicrobial peptides in innate immunity and human disease

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References (74)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 by Current Science Inc
Subject
Medicine & Public Health; Allergology; Pneumology/Respiratory System; Otorhinolaryngology; Infectious Diseases
ISSN
1529-7322
eISSN
1534-6315
DOI
10.1007/s11882-003-0074-x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides are diverse and evolutionarily ancient molecules produced by all living organisms. Peptides belonging to the cathelicidin and defensin gene families exhibit an immune strategy as they defend against infection by inhibiting microbial survival, and modify hosts through triggering tissue-specific defense and repair events. A variety of processes have evolved in microbes to evade the action of antimicrobial peptides, including the ability to degrade or inactivate antimicrobial peptides, or suppress host production of the peptide in response to infection. Animal models and clinical investigations have shown that an absence of cathelicidin or defensin antimicrobials can lead to disease. In this article, we review important recent advances in understanding the biology of antimicrobial peptides and their role in normal immunity and human disease.

Journal

Current Allergy and Asthma ReportsSpringer Journals

Published: May 30, 2003

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