The only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, playing key roles in innate immune defense, wound healing, and modulation of inflammatory responses.
The 13-residue cathelicidins indolicidin and tritrpticin are part of a group of relatively short tryptophan-rich antimicrobial peptides that hold potential as future substitutes for antibiotics. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been applie…
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the causative organisms in more than 80% of urinary tract infections. The bacteria are introduced to the urinary tract that, except for the external part of the urethra, is free from microbial colonization, a…
A unifying theme common to the action of many cationic peptides that display lethal activities against microbial pathogens is their specific action at microbial membranes that results in selective loss of ions and small nucleotides-chiefly ATP. One m…
Gingival innate immunity has been studied by using biopsies and normal or transformed epithelial cell monolayers. To overcome individual biological variabilities and as a physiological alternative, we have proposed using a reconstructed tissue equiva…
Post-translational processing of host defense cathelicidin peptide LL-37 in human sweat and skin generates new antimicrobial peptides. To understand structure and mechanism of action of these LL-37 derivatives, this article presents the cloning and e…
BACKGROUND: A feature of psoriasis is the rapid proliferation of keratinocytes, during which apoptosis is blocked and angiogenesis starts. It is known that tumor hypoxic cells produce histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC-1), which up-regulates hypoxia-inducib…
An essential element of the innate immune response to injury is the capacity to recognize microbial invasion and stimulate production of antimicrobial peptides. We investigated how this process is controlled in the epidermis. Keratinocytes surroundin…
BACKGROUND: Recurrent acute tonsillitis is one of the most frequent ENT referrals, yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood, and tonsillectomy still costs the National Health Service more than pound 60,000000 annually. Antimicrobial cationic pe…
The antimicrobial hexapeptide PAF26 was de novo designed towards phytopathogenic fungi of agricultural importance. To analyze its clinical potential, the activity of PAF26 has been determined against several microorganisms of clinical relevance inclu…
In the present study, we examined the role of Staphylococcus aureus protein A (SpA) in inducing inflammatory response in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). Exposure of HCECs to SpA induces rapid NF-kappaB activation and secretion of proinflammat…
Antibiotics are designed to support host defense in controlling infection. Here we describe a paradoxical inhibitory effect of bacteriostatic antibiotics on key mediators of mammalian innate immunity. When growth of species including Escherichia coli…
LL-37 is an alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide of human origin. It is a 37 residue cathelicidin peptide. This paper explores the use of electrochemical methods to investigate the interaction of LL-37 with phospholipid and lipid A monolayers on a mer…
We performed a comparative study of effects of two structurally different cationic antimicrobial peptides of cathelicidin family, porcine protegrin 1 (PG1) and caprine bactenecin 5 (Bac5) on selected tumor and normal mammalian cells in vitro. Protegr…
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We have previously reported different susceptibilities of periodontopathic and nonperiodontopathic bacteria to antimicrobial peptides and phagocytosis by neutrophils. Differences between the two groups of bacteria may exist…
The antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is the only cathelicidin that has been described in humans. LL-37 exerts chemotactic, immunomodulatory and angiogenic effects; activities that are mediated through binding to the formyl peptide receptor like (FPRL)-1 r…
Considering the anatomical location of the urethral meatus, it is surprising that urine is normally sterile. The defensive properties of uroepithelia help maintain this sterility as strategically necessary for long-term survival. Epithelia lining the…
Leukotriene B4 (LTB(4)) is a potent lipid mediator of inflammation that possesses antiviral activities. Here we provide evidence that LTB(4)-mediated defense against in vitro cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of human leukocytes involves activation of…
BACKGROUND: Endogenous antimicrobial peptides participate in the innate defense of skin against a variety of pathogens. The systemic expression of these peptides in normal-appearing skin of patients with infective cellulitis is unknown. METHODS: Stud…
PROBLEM: Our recent studies proved that menstrual discharge is exceptionally rich in bactericidal hemoglobin peptides (hemocidins). Of special interest is the behavior of hemocidins in low pH of the vagina, in different ionic strengths, and in the pr…
Cathelicidins, a group of cationic peptides found in leukocytes and epithelial cells, play a central role in the early innate immune defense against infection. Although these host defense peptides have been reported in several mammalian species, incl…