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Innate immune defense system of the skin
Author(s) -
Afshar Maryam,
Gallo Richard L.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2012.01082.x
Subject(s) - cathelicidin , antimicrobial peptides , innate immune system , effector , biology , antimicrobial , defensin , immunology , beta defensin , immune system , cytokine , microbiology and biotechnology , angiogenesis , pathogenesis , wound healing , immunity , cancer research
Background – Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have a pivotal role in cutaneous innate immunity. They are present in the skin of many animals, including mammals, and are both constitutively present and inducible by infection and injury. Functions – Antimicrobial peptides exhibit antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, with different potencies depending on their peptide structure. They also act as multifunctional effector molecules that influence diverse cellular processes, including cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, cytokine production, angiogenesis and wound healing. Suppressed AMP production has been associated with increased susceptibility to microbial insults and the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. This review highlights recent observations on the expression and role of AMPs, particularly the AMPs cathelicidin and β‐defensin, in healthy and diseased skin.