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Antimicrobial Peptides in the Brain

Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis volume 58, pages 365–377 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an evolutionarily conserved component of the innate immune system of many species. The brain is an immunologically privileged organ but can produce a robust immune response against pathogens and cell debris, promoting rapid and efficient clearance. AMPs may be critically involved in the innate immune system of the brain. Though the mechanisms of AMPs’ action in the brain still need further elucidation, many studies have shown that AMPs are multifunctional molecules in the brain. In addition to antimicrobial action, they take part in congenital and adaptive immune reactions (immunoregulation), function as signaling molecules in tissue repair, inflammation and other important processes through different mechanisms, and they might, in addition, become diagnostic markers of brain disease.

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Abbreviations

AMPs:

Antimicrobial peptides

BBB:

Blood–brain barrier

CNS:

Central nervous system

PRRs:

Pattern-recognition receptors

PAMPs:

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns

NODs:

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain proteins

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

HBD:

Human β defensin

HNP:

Human α-defensin

HD-5:

Human α-defensin 5

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

IL:

Interleukin

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factor

CRAMP:

Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide

LL-37:

Human cathelicidin

hCAP18:

Human cathelicidin antimicrobial protein

rCRAMP:

Rat CRAMP

NAMPs:

Neuro-antimicrobial peptides

PMNs:

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes

PEA:

Proenkephalin A

NK1:

Neurokinin-1

NPY:

Neuropeptide Y

BRPs:

Bombesin-related peptides family

DCD:

Dermcidin

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

PD:

Parkinson’s disease

PKC:

Protein kinase C

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School of Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People’s Republic of China

    Yanhua Su & Kai Zhang

  2. Institute of Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Calwer Str. 3, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany

    Hermann J. Schluesener

Authors
  1. Yanhua Su
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  2. Kai Zhang
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  3. Hermann J. Schluesener
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Correspondence to Hermann J. Schluesener.

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Su, Y., Zhang, K. & Schluesener, H.J. Antimicrobial Peptides in the Brain. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. 58, 365–377 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-010-0089-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-010-0089-7

Keywords

  • Antimicrobial peptides
  • Brain
  • Antimicrobial activity
  • Immunomodulatory activity
  • Signaling molecules