Diverse functions of defensins and other antimicrobial peptides in periodontal tissues.

Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that exhibit direct microbicidal activity as well as mediator-like functions by, for example, activating immature dendritic cells. This review focuses on defensins and other antimicrobial peptides that are present in periodontal tissues. Their antimicrobial capacity against periodontal microorganisms, their regulation and their expression profiles during periodontal diseases is discussed. As antimicrobial peptides may possess great potential for new diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies, a better understanding of how antimicrobial peptides are regulated as part of the innate host immune response is crucial.