Antimicrobial peptides: clinical relevance and therapeutic implications.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules that provide protection against environmental pathogens, acting against a large number of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, virus and others. Two major groups of antimicrobial peptides are found in humans: cathelicidins and defensins. Recently, several studies have furnished information that besides their role in infection diseases, antimicrobial peptides play a role in diseases as diverse as inflammatory disorders, autoimmunity and cancer. Here, we discuss the role of antimicrobial peptides and vitamin D have in such complex diseases and propose their use should be more explored in the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions.
Emergency Medicine Department, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. pinheirofabiano@hotmail.com
Fabiano
F
Pinheiro da Silva
Marcel Cerqueira César
MC
Machado
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054804:Cathelicidins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054804:Cathelicidins; D007155:Immunologic Factors