Structure and function of enteric α-defensins in norm and pathology

Nikitina, I. G.; Bukurova, Yu. A.; Krasnov, George S.; Grineva, E. N.; Карпов, В.Л.; Лисицын, Н. А.; Beresten, S. F.

doi:10.1134/s0026893311060094

Cited by 10 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 53 publications

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“…The first subclass, a-defensin, is found in rabbit macrophages, as well as in rat, human, and guinea pig neutrophils [11]. In humans, six genes code the expression of four peptides by neutrophils, which are known as human neutrophil peptides 1-4 (HNP-1-4), and two types of enteric defensins (HD-5 and HD-6), which are secreted by the small intestine, colon and female genital epithelium cells [12,13]. These six peptides are human a-defensins, whose typical structure consists of 29-35 amino acids [14].…”

Section: Subclasses and Antimicrobial Activity Of Hds A-defensinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antimicrobial activity, mechanism of action, and methods for stabilisation of defensins as new therapeutic agents

Amerikova

Tibi

Maslarska

et al. 2019

Biotechnology & Biotechnological Equipment

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Bioactive compounds, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), have increasingly been used recently to counteract the rapidly increasing incidence of bacterial resistance to usual antibiotics and chemotherapeutics. In humans, endogenous AMPs are part of the immune system and act against pathogens. Defensins compose a class of AMPs that have activity against gram-positive and-negative bacteria, viruses, and fungi. For some, antitumour activity has also been reported. Such characteristics indicate that they represent a potential new class of therapeutic agents against microorganisms, including multidrug resistant pathogens. However, pH and enzymatic degradation and variable tissue distribution of these compounds limit their clinical application. New technologies and different methods have been developed to overcome these limitations and increase their half-life, such as cyclization, lipidation, design of peptidomimetics, synthesis of hybrid peptides, and use of nanocarriers. The objective of this review was to analyse current applications of defensins as antimicrobial agents and their mechanism of action. Moreover, new technologies and methods for stabilizing defensins are discussed.

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