A family of helminth molecules that modulate innate cell responses via molecular mimicry of host antimicrobial peptides.

ABSTRACT: Over the last decade a significant number of studies have highlighted the central role of host antimicrobial (or defence) peptides in modulating the response of innate immune cells to pathogen-associated ligands. In humans, the most widely studied antimicrobial peptide is LL-37, a 37-residue peptide containing an amphipathic helix that is released via proteolytic cleavage of the precursor protein CAP18. Owing to its ability to protect against lethal endotoxaemia and clinically-relevant bacterial infections, LL-37 and its derivatives are seen as attractive candidates for anti-sepsis therapies. We have identified a novel family of molecules secreted by parasitic helminths (helminth defence molecules; HDMs) that exhibit similar biochemical and functional characteristics to human defence pepti

SUBMITTER: Robinson MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3093369 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature