Host Directed Therapy Against Infection by Boosting Innate Immunity

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The innate immune system is crucial for host defense against pathogens and maintaining homeostasis.
• Detailed knowledge exists on innate immunity receptors, signaling pathways, and effector molecules.
• Pathogenic bacteria can suppress innate defenses, leading to invasive diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent data on innate immunity, focusing on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and autophagy.
• To explore pathogen-mediated downregulation of innate defenses and potential therapeutic counteractions (host-directed therapy, HDT).
• To discuss the role of antibiotics as modulators of host responses and the potential of boosting innate immunity against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions.
• Analysis of mechanisms of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) regulation by pathogenic bacteria.
• Examination of cytokine-mediated effects, repurposed drugs, and antibiotic modulation of host responses.

Main Results:

• Innate immune effectors like AMPs, ROS, NO, and autophagy are powerful defense mechanisms.
• Pathogenic bacteria employ strategies to downregulate these innate defenses.
• Boosting innate immunity offers a promising strategy against antibiotic-resistant infections.

Conclusions:

• Understanding pathogen suppression of innate immunity is key for developing novel host-directed therapies (HDT).
• HDT strategies, by enhancing endogenous defense mechanisms, are vital alternatives to antibiotics.
• This review provides a platform for developing new treatments against infections and inflammation.