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Many chemokines including CCL20/MIP-3alpha display antimicrobial activity
De Yang1, Qian Chen, David M Hoover
1Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Science Applications International Corp., Inc.-Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|September 2, 2003
Summary
Certain chemokines, like beta-defensins, possess antimicrobial properties. This study found that CCL20/macrophage-inflammatory protein-3alpha (MIP-3alpha) and 17 other human chemokines exhibit antimicrobial activity, suggesting a broader host-defense role.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Beta-defensins utilize the chemokine receptor CCR6, interacting with CCL20/macrophage-inflammatory protein-3alpha (MIP-3alpha).
- CCL20/MIP-3alpha features a surface with concentrated positive charges, similar to defensins, hinting at antimicrobial potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial activity of CCL20/MIP-3alpha.
- To identify other human chemokines with antimicrobial properties.
- To explore the structural basis for chemokine antimicrobial activity.
Main Methods:
- Antimicrobial assays against a panel of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus) and a fungus (Candida albicans).
- Screening of 30 human chemokines for in vitro antimicrobial activity.
- Comparative structural analysis of antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial chemokines.
Main Results:
- CCL20/MIP-3alpha demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects against all tested microorganisms.
- An additional 17 human chemokines were identified with in vitro antimicrobial activity.
- Approximately two-thirds of investigated chemokines exhibited antimicrobial capacity.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial activity is a potential host-defense function for certain chemokines.
- A common structural feature of antimicrobial chemokines is a large, positively charged electrostatic patch on their surface.
- Chemokines represent a novel class of antimicrobial agents.