Immunomodulatory Effects of the Antimicrobial Peptide KR-20: Implications for Trichomoniasis.

ABSTRACT: Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide and is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. The development of resistance against the standard treatment, metronidazole, highlights the need for alternative therapeutic approaches. The role of innate immune cells is crucial for understanding trichomoniasis; however, the contribution of monocytes remains poorly characterized. We previously reported that the antimicrobial peptides LL-37 and its derivative KR-20 are trichomonacidal. In other systems, LL-37 displays immunomodulatory effects. Nevertheless, whether these peptides modulate monocyte responses in the presence of T. vaginalis remains unknown, which was the aim of this study. U937 monocytes were co-incubated with LL-37 or KR-20 (3 h), wi

SUBMITTER: Ramirez-Ledesma MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12898638 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature