[Human defensins: prophylaxis and therapy against HIV?].
Human defensins are endogenous antimicrobial peptides with prophylactic and therapeutic potential against HIV. The ability of defensins to bind the HIV envelope could be exploited to design topic agents that block viral entry into exposed mucosa. Additionally, their capacity to inhibit viral replication, complement system activation, dendritic and memory T cells chemoattraction, together with peptide engineering could bring about new and better antiretroviral drugs. Clinical trials could be demonstrated the efficacy of defensins against HIV in clinical practice.
Prado-Montes de Oca
Ernesto
E
Programa de Doctorado en Genética Humana, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Jal., México. ernestoprado@hotmail.com
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D023082:Defensins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023082:Defensins