The antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin protects the urinary tract against invasive bacterial infection.
Nat Med
; 12(6): 636-41, 2006 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16751768
ABSTRACT
The urinary tract functions in close proximity to the outside environment, yet must remain free of microbial colonization to avoid disease. The mechanisms for establishing an antimicrobial barrier in this area are not completely understood. Here, we describe the production and function of the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides LL-37, its precursor hCAP-18 and its ortholog CRAMP in epithelial cells of human and mouse urinary tract, respectively. Bacterial contact with epithelial cells resulted in rapid production and secretion of the respective peptides, and in humans LL-37/hCAP-18 was released into urine. Epithelium-derived cathelicidin substantially contributed to the protection of the urinary tract against infection, as shown using CRAMP-deficient and neutrophil-depleted mice. In addition, clinical E. coli strains that were more resistant to LL-37 caused more severe urinary tract infections than did susceptible strains. Thus, cathelicidin seems to be a key factor in mucosal immunity of the urinary tract.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sistema Urinário
/
Infecções Urinárias
/
Urotélio
/
Peptídeos Catiônicos Antimicrobianos
/
Infecções por Escherichia coli
Limite:
Animals
/
Child
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Med
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Suécia