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Nature-Inspired Multifunctional Host Defense Peptides with Dual Antimicrobial-Immunomodulatory Activities

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Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine and the Immune System

Abstract

Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as blueprints for the development of new antimicrobials to combat the widespread emergence of bacterial resistance. Though early work in the field has predominantly focused on their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, mounting evidence suggests that the immunomodulating properties of these innate defense molecules may be as critical for their development into potent therapeutic agents. In this chapter, the biological activities of both natural and synthetic multifunctional host defense peptides (HDPs) are discussed, with a focus on design strategies aimed at bestowing these molecules with superior antimicrobial and immune-regulating properties, their potential clinical applications, and challenges hampering the transition of these therapeutic agents from the benchtop to the clinic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore

    Jasmeet Singh Khara & Pui Lai Rachel Ee

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  1. Jasmeet Singh Khara
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  2. Pui Lai Rachel Ee
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Correspondence to Pui Lai Rachel Ee .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA

    Laura Santambrogio

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Khara, J., Ee, P. (2015). Nature-Inspired Multifunctional Host Defense Peptides with Dual Antimicrobial-Immunomodulatory Activities. In: Santambrogio, L. (eds) Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine and the Immune System. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18045-8_6

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