title: Antimicrobial peptides and the enteric mucus layer act in concert to protect the intestinal mucosa.
abstract: The intestinal mucosa squares the circle by allowing efficient nutrient absorption while generating a firm barrier toward the enteric microbiota, enteropathogenic microorganisms and high luminal concentrations of potent immunostimulatory molecules. The mucus layer together with local antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory peptides significantly contribute to this ability. Here we summarize the recent progress made to better understand the critical importance of this dynamic, complex and highly structured anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial barrier.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology; Hannover Medical School ; Hannover , Germany.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dupont
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heinbockel
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brandenburg
authors.forename: Mathias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hornef
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D064307:Microbiota
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
keywords: CRS, Cryptdin-related sequence; HD, Human defensin; IAP, Intestinal alkaline phosphatase; LBP, Lipopolysaccharide binding protein; RegIIIγ, Regenerating islet-derived protein 3 γ; SIgA, Secretory immunoglobulin A.; antimicrobial peptides; host-microbial homeostasis; intestine; microbiota; mucosal host defense; mucus layer; paneth cells