The only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, playing key roles in innate immune defense, wound healing, and modulation of inflammatory responses.
Streptococcus salivarius is an early colonizer of human oral and nasopharyngeal epithelia, and strain K12 has reported probiotic effects. An emerging paradigm indicates that commensal bacteria downregulate immune responses through the action on NF-ka…
The effects of oxidatively modified phospholipids on the association with model biomembranes of four antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), temporin B and L, indolicidin, and LL-37(F27W) were studied by Langmuir balance and fluorescence spectroscopy. In keep…
Skin functions as a first line of defense against microbial invasion. Tissue-engineered cultured skin substitutes (CSS) are used to aid wound closure in massively burned patients, and have been used to facilitate safe and effective wound closure in a…
The cathelin-like domain (CLD) of the antimicrobial cathelicidin family constitutes a unique protein family with structural similarity to cystatins, the cysteine protease inhibitors. CLDs are derived from the processed amino-terminal prosequence of t…
Bacterial pathogens colonize human body surfaces soon after birth. In order to survive the constant threat of invasion and infection, the human innate immune system has evolved several efficient mechanisms to prevent harmful microorganisms from trave…
Proteomic analysis of bovine conceptus fluid proteins during early pregnancy has the potential to expose protein species indicative of both the overall health of the fetal-maternal environment and fetal developmental status. In this study, we examine…
Antimicrobial peptides are good leads to develop new antibiotics, but knowledge of their mode of action is a prerequisite. Destruction of the microbial membranes through a detergent-like mechanism is one of these modes of action. This is usually stud…
Mammalian antimicrobial peptides contribute to the protective barrier against microbes at epithelial surfaces. This study focuses on the promoter of the human CAMP gene, encoding the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, and induction of the gene in the colon…
Extracellular ATP, released at sites of inflammation or tissue damage, activates the P2X(7) receptor, which in turn triggers a range of responses also including cell proliferation. In this study the ability of the human cathelicidin LL-37 to stimulat…
The expression and localization of the human sperm protein hCAP-18/SOB3 were evaluated in human testis and epididymis through in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry with the use of an anti-recombinant hCAP-18/SOB3 polyclonal antibody. Both hC…
These days it has been increasingly recognized that mast cells (MCs) are critical components of host defense against pathogens. In this study, we have provided the first evidence that MCs can kill bacteria by entrapping them in extracellular structur…
OBJECTIVE: To develop and investigate GLL-37, a substitution analogue of the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 with anti-enzymatic degradation activity and improved efficacy. METHODS: The bactericidal activities of LL-37 and newly developed GLL-37 ag…
INTRODUCTION: Cathelicidins are antimicrobial peptides found in epithelial and mucosal tissues as well as the secondary granules of neutrophils. SMAP29, a sheep cathelicidin, has differential antimicrobial properties against various pathogens, includ…
INTRODUCTION: Changes in the respiratory epithelium and chronic and recurrent infections are thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of otitis media and sinusitis. The airway epithelium is the primary defense system of the respiratory trac…
F2L, a peptide derived from heme-binding protein, was originally identified as an endogenous ligand for formyl peptide receptor-like (FPRL)2. Previously, we reported that F2L inhibits FPR and FPRL1-mediated signaling in neutrophils. Since endothelial…
The cathelin-like domain (CLD) of cathelicidins is grouped in the same superfamily with cystatins, natural cysteine protease inhibitors, due to their structural similarity. Intriguingly, human hCAP-18/LL37 and pig protegrin-3 (PG3) CLDs exhibit oppos…
Skin, the first barrier against invading microorganisms, is hypoxic, even under baseline conditions. The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha, the principal regulator of cellular adaptation to low oxygen, is strongly expre…
In addition to the numerous cathelicidin peptides that are associated with the antimicrobial activity exhibited by a crude extract from ovine blood, a further three peptides with antimicrobial activity have been identified. These were part of the pre…
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of invasive bacterial infections in newborns and certain adult populations. Surface filamentous appendages known as pili have been recently identified in GBS. However, little is known about the role of the…
BACKGROUND: Cathelicidins are a family of antimicrobial peptides acting as multifunctional effector molecules of innate immunity, which are firstly found in mammalians. Recently, several cathelicidins have also been found from chickens and fishes. No…