Potential therapeutic application of host defense peptides.
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are relatively small, mostly cationic, amphipathic, and of variable length, sequence, and structure. The majority of these peptides exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and often activity against viruses and some cancer cell lines. In addition, HDPs also provide a range of immunomodulatory activities related to innate immunity defense, inflammation, and wound healing. The development of these multi-faceted molecules and their bioactivities into clinically important therapeutics is being pursued using a number of different approaches. Here we review the role of HDPs in nature and application of this role to the development of novel therapeutics.
Zhang
Lijuan
L
Helix Biomedix Inc., Bothell, WA, USA.
Falla
Timothy J
TJ
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors