Article
Innate antimicrobial peptide protects the skin from invasive bacterial infection.
Nature - 22 Nov 2001
Nizet V, Ohtake T, Lauth X, Trowbridge J, Rudisill J, Dorschner R A, Pestonjamasp V, Piraino J, Huttner K, Gallo R L
Abstract excerpt
In mammals, several gene families encode peptides with antibacterial activity, such as the beta-defensins and cathelicidins. These peptides are expressed on epithelial surfaces and in neutrophils, and have been proposed to provide a first line of defence against infection by acting as 'natural antibiotics'. The protective effect of antimicrobial peptides is brought into question by observations that several of...
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