Abstract Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR 2 ) is widely expressed in the respiratory tract and is an integral component of the host antimicrobial defence system. The principal aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a PAR 2 -activating peptide

Parasitic helminths (worms) are one of the most successful animal groups in nature. They are large multicellular organisms and therefore cannot penetrate host cells but must reside inside tissue or organs. They infect over 1 billion people globally, mostly in tropical/sub-tropical regions, taking

. The case for a primary role for antimicrobial peptides in innate host defences is becoming increasingly convincing (1,2). In Drosophila, gene knockouts influencing the expression of antibacterial (imd) or antifungal (dif, insect NFkB) peptide expression render these fruit flies susceptible to subsequent

on the run induced defences create spatial patterns in

Antimicrobial peptides in innate intestinal host defence

Antimicrobial activity of the recombinant designer host defence

Host-defence peptides secreted from the skin glands of Australian frogs and toads, are, with a few notable exceptions, different from those produced by anurans elsewhere. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the following classes of peptide isolated and characterized from Australian

to the emergence of possible peptide therapies, with 15 currently in clinical trials. Advancements in understanding the antiviral poten-tial of naturally occurring host defence peptides highlights the potential of a whole new class of molecules to be considered as antiviral therapeutics. Cationic host defence

is whether this specificity is due to the immune response rather than some other interplay between host and parasite genotypes. By measuring the expression of putative bumblebee homologues of antimicrobial peptides in response to infection by their gut trypanosome Crithidia bombi, we demonstrate

Antimicrobial host defence peptide, LL-37, as a potential vaginal contraceptive