Cathelicidins link the endocrine and immune systems.
Cathelicidin peptides play key roles in host responses to infection. Radek and colleagues (2010) demonstrate that the nicotinic acetylcholine system, activated during stress, suppresses production of mouse cathelicidin, increasing host susceptibility to the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. This suggests a distinct way by which the endocrine system regulates innate immunity.
Mayer
Matthew L
ML
Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada.
Hancock
Robert E W
REW
Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: bob@cmdr.ubc.ca.