Multicellular organisms have to survive in an environment laden with numerous microorganisms, which represent a potential hazard to life. Different strategies have been developed to ward off infections by preventing microorganisms from entering surfaces and by preventing the attack of microorganisms that have already entered the epithelia. Therefore, it is not surprising that epithelia are equipped with various antimicrobial substances that act rapidly to kill a broad range of microorganisms. This review summarizes our present knowledge about epithelial peptide antibiotics produced in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates including humans. There is now strong evidence that in addition to constitutively secreted peptide antibiotics, others are induced upon contact with microorganisms or by proinflammatory cytokines. β-Defensins represent one family of vertebrate antimicrobial peptides, members of which are inducible and have recently been identified in humans. The defensin-characteristic local expression pattern may indicate that specialized surfaces express a characteristic surface antimicrobial peptide pattern that might define the characteristic microflora as well as the density of microorganisms present on the surface.
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Similar content being viewed by others Explore related subjectsDiscover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning. Author information Authors and AffiliationsClinical Research Unit, Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel, Schittenhelmstrasse 7, D-24105 Kiel (Germany), Fax +49 431 597 1611, e-mail: jschroeder@dermatology.uni-kiel.de, , , , , , DE
J.-M. Schröder
Received 28 December 1998; received after revision 19 March 1999; accepted 24 March 1999
About this article Cite this articleSchröder, JM. Epithelial antimicrobial peptides: innate local host response elements. CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 56, 32–46 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050004
Issue Date: October 1999
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000180050004
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