Antimicrobial peptide control of pathogenic microorganisms of the oral cavity: a review of the literature.
Antimicrobial peptides, molecules produced in many different organisms, have high biocidal activity against several microorganisms. However, several questions about these molecules remain unclear. Therefore, this report details a systematic survey of the literature on the use of antimicrobial peptides against oral pathogens and indicates which peptides and microorganisms are most extensively studied. Articles were located using the PubMed and Science Direct databases with the following inclusion criteria: publication date between 2002 and 2011; keywords "biofilm OR biological film OR biological layer OR bacterial growth" AND "peptide" AND "oral cavity OR mouth OR buccal mucosa OR oral mucosa OR mouth mucosa"; and abstract in English. A total of 73 articles were selected after refinement of the data. An increase in publications focusing on the use of antimicrobial peptides against oral microorganisms was observed. In addition, the peptides produced by cells of the oral mucosa (defensins, LL-37 and histatins) as well as Streptococcus mutans (among cariogenic bacteria) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (among periodontal bacteria) were the most studied subjects. It was concluded that the use of antimicrobial peptides as a tool for microbial control is of increasing importance, likely due to its widespread use, mechanism of action, and low rates of bacterial resistance.
Faculty of Medicine of Sobral, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil. brunorocha747@gmail.com
Bruno Rocha
BR
da Silva
Victor Aragão Abreu
VA
de Freitas
Luiz Gonzaga
LG
Nascimento-Neto
Victor Alves
VA
Carneiro
Francisco Vassiliepe Sousa
FV
Arruda
Andréa Silvia Walter
AS
de Aguiar
Benildo Sousa
BS
Cavada
Edson Holanda
EH
Teixeira
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents