PubMed Health⌕ Search

PubMed · 14996645

Cationic antimicrobial peptides - an update.

Abstract

Cationic antimicrobial peptides play a very important role in nature as a first line of defence against attack and damage. However, their application to the clinic has not been very encouraging to date. There are indications that the barriers to their success may now be eroding with companies developing peptides to be more stable, cost effective and targeted to specific indications. These include systemic infectious disease, acne, vaginitis, wound infection and inflammation. In addition, the use of such peptides as modulators of innate immunity in the treatment of infectious disease and inflammation has added a further dimension to the field.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Lijuan Zhang, Timothy J Falla. 2004. Cationic antimicrobial peptides - an update.. https://doi.org/10.1517/13543784.13.2.97

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Antimicrobial peptide modulation in a differentiated reconstructed gingival epithelium.

Gingival innate immunity has been studied by using biopsies and normal or transformed epithelial cell monolayers. To overcome individual biological variabilities and as a physiological alternative, we have proposed using a reconstructed tissue equivalent. In this study, we investigated the functionality and the stage of differentiation of a reconstructed human gingival epithelium. We also characterized this epithelium at the molecular level to investigate its differentiation stage compared with native human gingival epithelium. The expression levels and localization of markers related to proteins and lipids of well-differentiated stratified epithelium, such as cytokeratins, cornified envelope proteins and enzymes, or to factors in lipid synthesis and trafficking were examined. Immunohistochemistry revealed similar localization patterns in both types of epithelia and mRNA quantification showed a close resemblance of their expression profiles. We further revealed that, like native gingiva, reconstructed gingival epithelium was able to respond to pro-inflammatory or lipopolysaccharide stimuli by producing antimicrobial peptides hbetaD-2, hbetaD-3 or LL-37. Finally, we demonstrated that reconstructed human gingival epithelium, as a model, was good enough to be proposed as a functional equivalent for native human gingival epithelium in order to study the regulation of gingival innate immunity against periodontal infections.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗

Defensins and cathelicidins in gastrointestinal infections.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review recently published studies presenting novel and relevant information on antimicrobial peptides in gastrointestinal infections. RECENT FINDINGS: Defensins and cathelicidins are important antimicrobial peptides expressed by the gastrointestinal epithelium. Their localization and regulation have been the focus of current research establishing the relevance of these peptides both in counteracting an attack by pathogens as well as in controlling the endogenous bacterial flora. In the small intestine, Paneth cell alpha-defensins maintain a low level of microorganisms and regulate the composition of the bacterial flora. In contrast, a constitutive beta-defensin can be found in nearly all gastrointestinal tissues. Other relevant beta-defensins as well as human cathelicidin are inducible by inflammation or infections. Thus Helicobacter pylori enhances defensin expression in the gastric mucosa and Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella provoke a similar response in the colon. Other pathogenic bacteria may suppress the antimicrobial peptide response as an escape strategy. Notably, the therapeutic induction of cathelicidins alleviates experimental shigellosis, suggesting a future role of endogenous antibiotics in medical therapy. SUMMARY: These recent findings together with a better understanding of underlying mechanisms involved in the regulation and biology of antimicrobial peptides will open up new therapeutic avenues to battle infections.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗

The interactions of aurein 1.2 with cancer cell membranes.

Here, the interactions of aurein 1.2, a defence peptide, with T98G glioblastoma cell membranes are studied. The peptide induced maximal surface pressure changes of circa 9 mN m(-1) in monolayers of endogenous T98G membrane lipid. Reducing monolayer anionic lipid showed a positive correlation (R(2)>0.91) with decreases in maximal surface pressure changes induced by aurein 1.2 (circa 3 mN m(-1) in the absence of this lipid). Cancer cell membrane invasion by the peptide therefore appears not to be mediated by lipid receptors or specific lipid requirements but rather a general requirement for anionic lipid and/or other negatively charged membrane components.

Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides↗