Cited by 1,198Antimicrobial Peptides and ActivitiesAntimicrobial agents and applicationsImmune Response and Inflammation

Innate antimicrobial peptide protects the skin from invasive bacterial infection

Nizet, Victor, Ohtake, Takaaki, Lauth, Xavier, Trowbridge, Janet, Rudisill, Jennifer, Dorschner, Robert A., Pestonjamasp, Vasumati, Piraino, Joseph +2 more·2001·Nature

Abstract

In mammals, several gene families encode peptides with antibacterial activity, such as the beta-defensins and cathelicidins. These peptides are expressed on epithelial surfaces and in neutrophils, and have been proposed to provide a first line of defence against infection by acting as 'natural antibiotics'. The protective effect of antimicrobial peptides is brought into question by observations that several of these peptides are easily inactivated and have diverse cellular effects that are distinct from antimicrobial activity demonstrated in vitro. To investigate the function of a specific antimicrobial peptide in a mouse model of cutaneous infection, we applied a combined mammalian and bacterial genetic approach to the cathelicidin antimicrobial gene family. The mature human (LL-37) and mouse (CRAMP) peptides are encoded by similar genes (CAMP and Cnlp, respectively), and have similar alpha-helical structures, spectra of antimicrobial activity and tissue distribution. Here we show that cathelicidins are an important native component of innate host defence in mice and provide protection against necrotic skin infection caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS).

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Crossref · 10.1038/35106587

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  • The skin, particularly the epidermis, up-regulates and secretes antimicrobial peptides early in response to barrier damage and exposure to microbes.

    “This is aided by the skin—the epidermis in particular—up-regulating and secreting antimicrobial peptides early in response to barrier damage and exposure to microbes (Fig. 2) (36, 37).”

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Authors
Nizet, V., Ohtake, T., Lauth, X., Trowbridge, J., Rudisill, J., Dorschner, R. A., Pestonjamasp, V., Piraino, J., Huttner, K., & Gallo, R. L.
Affiliations
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Gallo, Richard L.
Venue
Nature
Published
2001-11
Volume
414
Issue
6862
Pages
454-457
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W1964758221
Cited by
1,198
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 58 · 2014: 74 · 2013: 61 · 2012: 57
FWCI
36.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Antimicrobial agents and applications
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Response and Inflammation
Keywords
antimicrobial peptides, cathelicidin, LL-37, cramps, innate immunity, skin infections, Streptococcus pyogenes, host defense, beta-defensins
MeSH terms
Animals, Female, Immunity, Innate, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mutation, Proteins, Recombinant Fusion Proteins, Streptococcal Infections, Streptococcus pyogenes, Skin Diseases, Bacterial, Mice, Knockout, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Drug Resistance, Bacterial, Mice, Cathelicidins

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