Abstract
Oral epithelium is a stratified squamous epithelium that functions as the barrier between the outside environment and the host. In the oral cavity, epithelial tissues are constantly exposed to a variety of bacteria, but most individuals maintain healthy homeostasis. Epithelial cells contribute to the innate host response, and antimicrobial peptide expression in all human epithelia, including oral epithelia, is an important part of this epithelial function. These antimicrobial peptides have a broad spectrum of activity against both Gramnegative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against yeast and viruses. In humans these antimicrobial peptides include defensins and a cathelicidin family member LL-37 in skin and oral mucosa and other epithelia. The human defensins include the α-defensins of intestinal and neutrophil origin, and the β-defensins of skin and oral mucosa and other epithelia. Present studies have identified specific signaling routes that pathogens and commensals take in stimulating these innate immune responses, and this may open the way for development of new therapeutic agents for periodontal diseases.
Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides, defensins, innate immunity, periodontitis, oral health, oral bacteria, NFκB, MAPK
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Expression of Defensins in Gingiva and Their Role in Periodontal Health and Disease
Volume: 13 Issue: 30
Author(s): W. O. Chung, H. Dommisch, L. Yin and B. A. Dale
Affiliation:
Keywords: Antimicrobial peptides, defensins, innate immunity, periodontitis, oral health, oral bacteria, NFκB, MAPK
Abstract: Oral epithelium is a stratified squamous epithelium that functions as the barrier between the outside environment and the host. In the oral cavity, epithelial tissues are constantly exposed to a variety of bacteria, but most individuals maintain healthy homeostasis. Epithelial cells contribute to the innate host response, and antimicrobial peptide expression in all human epithelia, including oral epithelia, is an important part of this epithelial function. These antimicrobial peptides have a broad spectrum of activity against both Gramnegative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against yeast and viruses. In humans these antimicrobial peptides include defensins and a cathelicidin family member LL-37 in skin and oral mucosa and other epithelia. The human defensins include the α-defensins of intestinal and neutrophil origin, and the β-defensins of skin and oral mucosa and other epithelia. Present studies have identified specific signaling routes that pathogens and commensals take in stimulating these innate immune responses, and this may open the way for development of new therapeutic agents for periodontal diseases.
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Cite this article as:
Chung O. W., Dommisch H., Yin L. and Dale A. B., Expression of Defensins in Gingiva and Their Role in Periodontal Health and Disease, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (30) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782110435
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782110435 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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