The only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, playing key roles in innate immune defense, wound healing, and modulation of inflammatory responses.
Type I interferons have been typically studied for their effects in the context of bacterial or viral infections. However in this report, we provide evidence that Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) expressing cells are present in the thymus in the absence of i…
The ability of the ocular surface to respond to pathogens is in part attributed to toll-like receptors (TLRs) that recognize conserved motifs on various microbes. This study examines TLR expression on various ocular surface cells, if TLR agonists can…
The antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37 possesses antituberculous activity, its association with other mycobacterial diseases, such as leprosy, is unknown. We studied serum cathelicidin and 25OH-vitamin D3 levels in 29 leprosy patients and 19 he…
OBJECTIVE: The intact nasal barrier is a prerequisite for a functioning defense of the upper airway system, in particular the permanent threat by inhaled potentially harmful microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) play an important role in maint…
Peptide antibiotics are produced by a wide range of microorganisms. Most of them target the cell envelope, often by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. One of the resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial peptides is a detoxification module consisting…
Human gingival epithelial cells (GEC) produce peptides, such as β-defensins and the cathelicidin LL-37, that are both antimicrobial and that modulate the innate immune response. In myeloid and airway epithelial cells, the active form of vitamin D(3)…
The positively charged side chains of cationic antimicrobial peptides are generally thought to provide the initial long-range electrostatic attractive forces that guide them towards the negatively charged bacterial membranes. Peptide analogs were des…
Viral proteins and nucleic acids stimulate TLRs to elicit production of cytokines, chemokines, and IFNs. Because of their immunostimulatory activity, several TLR agonists are being developed as vaccine adjuvants and cancer immunotherapeutics. However…
The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) plays a central role in the pathogenesis and the course of inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis. Posttranscriptional activation of IL-1β is mediated by inflammasomes; however, the mechani…
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D increases cathelicidin production, and might alter mortality due to tuberculosis (TB) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. However, due to abundant sun exposure, vita min D levels might be excellent among Ugandans…
PURPOSE: Studies show that LL-37 is a naturally occurring urinary defensin peptide that is up-regulated during urinary tract infections. Although normal urinary LL-37 levels are antimicrobial, we propose that increased LL-37 may trigger bladder infla…
Antimicrobial peptides are of great interest due to their potential application as novel antibiotics. Large quantities of highly purified peptides are required to meet the needs of basic research and clinical trials. Compared with isolation from natu…
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are effector molecules that are able to kill or inactivate microbial pathogens. However, most AMPs harbor multiple basic amino acids that hamper current proteomic identification. In our peptidomic survey of endogenous pe…
Cathelicidins exhibit anti-HIV activity but it is not known if they reduce the activity of enzymes crucial to the life cycle of the retrovirus. It is shown in this investigation that human cathelicidin LL37 and its fragments LL13-37 and LL17-32 inhib…
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to demonstrate the histological and immunohistological features of skin biopsy specimens from patients complaining of isolated itching of the external auditory canal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, case-control stud…
BACKGROUND: Chronic, infected wounds typically contain multiple genera of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, many of which are strong biofilm formers. Bacterial biofilms are thought to be a direct impediment to wound healing. New therapies th…
An antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, is found in an innate defense system of humans. Patients who suffer urinary tract infection (UTI) will generate LL-37 and which is released into urine. LL-37 can be used as an indicator for the diagnosis of UTI. We ha…
Inflammatory diseases remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Cathelicidins are immunomodulatory and antimicrobial peptides with potent anti-endotoxic properties. Although the effects of the human cathelicidin LL-37 on cellular response…
LL-37 peptide is a multifunctional host defense molecule essential for normal immune responses to infection or tissue injury. In this study we assess the impact of LL-37 on endothelial stiffness and barrier permeability. Fluorescence microscopy revea…
Keratinocytes represent the major cell population in the epithelial skin barrier and actively participate in innate immune responses by recognizing pathogenic microorganisms, followed by a fine-tuned production of cytokines, chemokines and antimicrob…