title: Antimicrobial defense of the intestine.
abstract: The mammalian gastrointestinal tract is home to a dense community of resident bacteria and is also exposed to microorganisms from the external environment. The epithelial surface of the intestine plays a critical role in host protection by producing a diverse repertoire of antimicrobial proteins that directly kill or hinder the growth of microorganisms. Here we discuss the general principles that govern the mechanisms of action of epithelial antimicrobial proteins, regulation of antimicrobial protein expression and activity, and in vivo functions of intestinal antimicrobial proteins. We also consider how altered antimicrobial protein expression and function can contribute to disease and how these endogenous antibiotics might be harnessed for the benefit of human health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390.
authors.forename: Sohini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390; The Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Electronic address: lora.hooper@utsouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Lora V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Hooper
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides