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Host Antimicrobial Defence Peptides in Human Disease

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Antimicrobial Peptides and Human Disease

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 306))

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides or host defence peptides are endogenous peptide antibiotics, which have been confirmed as an essential part of the immune system. Apart from direct killing of bacteria, a role for the peptides in antiviral and immunomodulatory functions has recently been claimed. In this chapter we have focused on the host contact with microbes, where these host defence peptides are key players. The interplay with commensals and pathogens in relation to antimicrobial peptide expression is discussed, with specific emphasis on the respiratory and the alimentary systems. A possible novel difference in epithelial interactions between commensals and pathogens is considered in relation to disease.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden

    B. Agerberth

  2. Biology Institute, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 7, 101, Reykjavik, Iceland

    G. H. Guðmundsson

Authors
  1. B. Agerberth
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  2. G. H. Guðmundsson
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 3001 Rollins Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    William M. Shafer Ph.D.

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© 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Agerberth, B., Guðmundsson, G.H. (2006). Host Antimicrobial Defence Peptides in Human Disease. In: Shafer, W.M. (eds) Antimicrobial Peptides and Human Disease. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 306. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg . https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-29916-5_3

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