Using antimicrobial host defense peptides as anti-infective and immunomodulatory agents.
Virtually all life forms express short antimicrobial cationic peptides as an important component of their innate immune defenses. They serve as endogenous antibiotics that are able to rapidly kill an unusually broad range of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Consequently, considerable efforts have been expended to exploit the therapeutic potential of these antimicrobial peptides. Within the last couple of years, it has become increasingly clear that many of these peptides, in addition to their direct antimicrobial activity, also have a wide range of functions in modulating both innate and adaptive immunity. For one class of antimicrobial peptides, such as the human defensins, their primary role may even be as immunomodulators. These properties potentially provide entirely new therapeutic approaches to anti-infective therapy.
Kruse
Thomas
T
Anti-Infective Discovery, Novozymes A/S, DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. tkru@novozymes.com
Kristensen
Hans-Henrik
HH
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D023082:Defensins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000502:physiology
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D023082:Defensins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition