Antimicrobial peptides as mediators of epithelial host defense

作     者：Huttner, KM Bevins, CL 

作者机构：Cleveland Clin Fdn Dept Immunol Cleveland OH 44195 USA Cleveland Clin Fdn Dept Gastroenterol Cleveland OH 44195 USA Cleveland Clin Fdn Dept Colorectal Surg Cleveland OH 44195 USA Childrens Hosp Div Newborn Med Boston MA 02115 USA 

出 版 物：《PEDIATRIC RESEARCH》 (儿科研究)

年 卷 期：1999年第45卷第6期

页      面：785-794页

核心收录：

学科分类：1002[医学-临床医学] 100202[医学-儿科学] 10[医学] 

主　　题：氨基酸序列 抗感染药/分类 抗感染药/免疫学 抗微生物阳离子肽类/分类 抗微生物阳离子肽类/遗传学 抗微生物阳离子肽类/免疫学 内源性抗菌多肽类物质 防御素类 上皮/免疫学 上皮/微生物学 基因表达调控 发育期 分子序列数据 帕内特细胞/免疫学 蛋白质类/遗传学 蛋白质类/免疫学 动物 人类 

摘      要：Mammalian epithelial surfaces are remarkable for their ability to provide critical physiologic functions in the face of frequent microbial challenges. The fact that these mucosal surfaces remain infection-free in the normal host suggests that highly effective mechanisms of host defense have evolved to protect these environmentally exposed tissues. Throughout the animal and plant kingdoms, endogenous genetically encoded antimicrobial peptides have been shown to be key elements in the response to epithelial compromise and microbial invasion. In mammals, a variety of such peptides have been identified, including the well-characterized defensins and cathelicidins. A major source of these host defense molecules is circulating phagocytic leukocytes. However, more recently, it has been shown that resident epithelial cells of the skin and respiratory, alimentary, and genitourinary tracts also synthesize and release antimicrobial peptides. Both in vitro and in vivo data support the hypothesis that these molecules are important contributors to intrinsic mucosal immunity. Alterations in their level of expression or biologic activity can predispose the organism to microbial infection. The regulatory and developmental aspects of antimicrobial peptide synthesis are discussed from a perspective that emphasizes the possible relevance to pediatric medicine.