The Critical Role of the Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37/ CRAMP in Protection of Colon Microbiota Balance, Mucosal Homeostasis, Anti-Inflammatory Responses, and Resistance to Carcinogenesis.

Abstract

Mouse cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) and its homologue human cathelicidin (LL-37) play active roles in innate immune responses, angiogenesis, and wound healing. In addition, LL-37/CRAMP fends off microbes and protects against infections in the colon, where the epithelium is exposed to myriad of enteric pathogens. It is increasingly recognized that LL-37/CRAMP maintains colon mucosal barrier integrity, shapes the composition of microbiota, and protects the host from tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the importance of LL-37/CRAMP in the homeostasis of the host, with novel findings derived from mice deficient in CRAMP that support the proposition for this natural antimicrobial peptide and an immune modulator as a drug lead for therapeutic development.

• Authors: Meihua Zhang, Weiwei Liang, Wanghua Gong, Teizo Yoshimura, Keqiang Chen, Ji Ming Wang
• Journal: Critical reviews in immunology (Crit Rev Immunol) Vol. 39 Issue 2 Pg. 83-92 ( 2019) ISSN: 1040-8401 [Print] United States
• PMID: 31679249 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
• Cathelicidins

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (metabolism)
• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides (genetics, metabolism)
• Carcinogenesis
• Colon (immunology, microbiology)
• Colonic Neoplasms (immunology, microbiology)
• Gastrointestinal Microbiome (immunology)
• Homeostasis
• Humans
• Immunity, Mucosal
• Intestinal Mucosa (immunology, microbiology)
• Mice
• Mice, Knockout
• Cathelicidins