title: Enteric alpha defensins in norm and pathology.
abstract: Microbes living in the mammalian gut exist in constant contact with immunity system that prevents infection and maintains homeostasis. Enteric alpha defensins play an important role in regulation of bacterial colonization of the gut, as well as in activation of pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of the adaptive immune system cells in lamina propria. This review summarizes currently available data on functions of mammalian enteric alpha defensins in the immune defense and changes in their secretion in intestinal inflammatory diseases and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilova St,, Moscow, Russian Federation. niklisitsyn@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nikolai A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Lisitsyn
authors.forename: Yulia A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Bukurova
authors.forename: Inna G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Nikitina
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Krasnov
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sykulev
authors.forename: Sergey F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Beresten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004751:Enteritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D023084:alpha-Defensins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D023084:alpha-Defensins