title: Expanding the roles of antimicrobial peptides in skin: alarming and arming keratinocytes.
abstract: Antimicrobial peptides are gene-encoded molecules first discovered for their microbicidal properties but recently shown to have pro- or anti-inflammatory functions. Their role as immune regulators is being expanded with evidence that some antimicrobial peptides stimulate keratinocyte migration, proliferation and cytokine or chemokine production. Poorly named, antimicrobial peptides are multifunctional pillars around which the innate and adaptive immune response has evolved.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schauber
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007249:Inflammation; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines