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Updated: Dec 4, 2025
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Published on: August 11, 2018
Antimicrobial peptides as an argument for the involvement of innate immunity in psoriasis (Review)
Mihail Alecu1,2, Gabriela Coman1, Alina Mușetescu1,2
1Department of Dermatovenereology, 'Dr. Victor Babes' Clinical Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, 030303 Bucharest, Romania.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a group of oligopeptides found in most multicellular organisms with a capacity for rapid and nonspecific destruction of pathogens. The action of destroying pathogens is associated with a strong proinflammatory activity, stimulating the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors but also chemotaxis, the activation of dendritic cells and involving adaptive immunity also. The action of AMPs fits perfectly into the characteristics of innate immunity which makes these peptides candidates to be considered as an important element of this type of immunity. It has been shown that AMPs are involved in a number of cellular processes such as: differentiation, proliferation, maturation, thus widening the degree of involvement of these peptides in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases. In psoriasis, AMPs act both as a pro-inflammatory and chemotaxis factor and through the cathelicidin (LL-37)/dc DNA complex as a possible autoantigen for T cells, triggering an autoimmune response, activating the Th17/IL23 axis and maintaining the inflammatory process. Thus, many arguments are accumulated to consider that innate immunity through AMPs is an important link in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Moreover, the action of antimicrobial peptides in psoriasis is almost entirely characteristic for the general mode of action of innate immunity.
Insights
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key players in innate immunity, crucial for fighting pathogens and regulating inflammation. In psoriasis, AMPs contribute to the autoimmune response and disease persistence.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are vital components of the innate immune system, exhibiting broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
- AMPs play a significant role in modulating inflammatory responses, influencing cytokine secretion and immune cell activation.
- Their involvement extends to cellular processes like differentiation and proliferation, highlighting their complex role in health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
- To investigate the contribution of AMPs to the innate and adaptive immune responses in psoriasis.
- To explore the potential of AMPs as therapeutic targets in chronic inflammatory skin diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on AMPs, innate immunity, and psoriasis pathogenesis.
- Analysis of the molecular mechanisms by which AMPs exert pro-inflammatory and autoimmune effects.
- Examination of the role of specific AMPs, such as cathelicidin (LL-37), in psoriasis.
Main Results:
- AMPs exhibit potent pro-inflammatory and chemotactic activities, contributing to the inflammatory milieu in psoriasis.
- The cathelicidin (LL-37)/DNA complex acts as an autoantigen, potentially triggering autoimmune responses via T cells.
- AMPs are implicated in activating the Th17/IL23 axis, a critical pathway in maintaining psoriatic inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Innate immunity, particularly through AMPs, represents a significant link in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
- AMPs are central to both the innate immune defense and the autoimmune aspects of psoriasis.
- Understanding AMPs' multifaceted roles offers potential for novel therapeutic strategies for psoriasis.
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