Cathelicidins, multifunctional peptides of the innate immunity

Journal of Leukocyte Biology

Margherita Zanetti¹ 

[1] Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University of Udine, I-33100 Udine, and National Laboratory CIB, AREA Science Park, Padriciano 99, I-34012 Trieste Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University of Udine, I-33100 Udine, and National Laboratory CIB, AREA Science Park, Padriciano 99, I-34012 Trieste Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, University of Udine, I-33100 Udine, and National Laboratory CIB, AREA Science Park, Padriciano 99, I-34012 Trieste

关键词: cathelin;    antimicrobial peptide;    innate immunity;    infection;   

DOI  :  10.1189/jlb.0403147

学科分类：生理学

来源: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

【 摘 要 】

Cathelicidins comprise a family of mammalian proteins containing a C-terminal cationic antimicrobial domain that becomes active after being freed from the N-terminal cathelin portion of the holoprotein. Many other members of this family have been identified since the first cathelicidin sequences were reported 10 years ago. The mature peptides generally show a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity and, more recently, some of them have also been found to exert other biological activities. The human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 is chemotactic for neutrophils, monocytes, mast cells, and T cells; induces degranulation of mast cells; alters transcriptional responses in macrophages; stimulates wound vascularization and re-epithelialization of healing skin. The porcine PR-39 has also been involved in a variety of processes, including promotion of wound repair, induction of angiogenesis, neutrophils chemotaxis, and inhibition of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase activity, whereas the bovine BMAP-28 induces apoptosis in transformed cell lines and activated lymphocytes and may thus help with clearance of unwanted cells at inflammation sites. These multiple actions provide evidence for active participation of cathelicidin peptides in the regulation of the antimicrobial host defenses.

【 授权许可】

Unknown