LL-37 opsonizes and inhibits biofilm formation of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans at subbactericidal concentrations.

ABSTRACT: Host defense peptides are immediate responders of the innate immunity that express antimicrobial, immunoregulatory, and wound-healing activities. Neutrophils are a major source for oral host defense peptides, and phagocytosis by neutrophils is a major mechanism for bacterial clearance in the gingival tissue. Dysfunction of or reduction in the numbers of neutrophils or deficiency in the LL-37 host defense peptide was each previously linked with proliferation of oral Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans which resulted in an aggressive periodontal disease. Surprisingly, A. actinomycetemcomitans shows resistance to high concentrations of LL-37. In this study, we demonstrated that submicrocidal concentrations of LL-37 inhibit biofilm formation by A. actinomycetemcomitans and act as opsonins an

SUBMITTER: Sol A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3811755 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature