Oppenheim J J, Biragyn A, Kwak L W, Yang D
Laboratory of Molecular Immunoregulation, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2003 Nov;62 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):ii17-21. doi: 10.1136/ard.62.suppl_2.ii17.
A number of antimicrobial peptides such as defensins have multiple functions in host defence. Defensins are produced not only by phagocytic cells and lymphocytes, but also by the epithelial cell lining of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, the tracheobronchial tree, and keratinocytes. Some are produced constitutively, whereas others are induced by proinflammatory cytokines and exogenous microbial products. Defensins produced by cells in the course of innate host defence serve as signals which initiate, mobilise, and amplify adaptive immune host defences. Administration of defensins with antigens to mice enhances both cellular (Th1-dependent) and humoral (Th2-dependent) cytokine production and immune responses. Linkage of defensins to weak tumour antigens potentiates their immunoadjuvant effects. Defensins use multiple cellular receptors, which endows them with the capacity to marshall adaptive host defences against microbial invaders.
许多抗菌肽，如防御素，在宿主防御中具有多种功能。防御素不仅由吞噬细胞和淋巴细胞产生，胃肠道、泌尿生殖道、气管支气管树的上皮细胞以及角质形成细胞也能产生。有些防御素是组成性产生的，而其他的则由促炎细胞因子和外源性微生物产物诱导产生。在先天性宿主防御过程中，细胞产生的防御素作为信号，启动、动员和放大适应性免疫宿主防御。将防御素与抗原一起给予小鼠，可增强细胞（依赖Th1）和体液（依赖Th2）细胞因子的产生以及免疫反应。将防御素与弱肿瘤抗原连接可增强其免疫佐剂作用。防御素使用多种细胞受体，这使其具有组织适应性宿主防御以对抗微生物入侵者的能力。
