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Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) and the Microbiome in Preterm Infants: Consequences and Opportunities for Future

Janina Marissen1,2, Lilith Reichert1, Christoph Härtel1,3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are vital for infant immunity, regulating the microbiome and protecting against infections. Understanding AMPs in preterm infants offers new disease prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key innate immune components with diverse physiological roles beyond direct antimicrobial activity.
  • AMPs influence angiogenesis, wound healing, immune modulation, and immune cell attraction.
  • They are crucial for regulating the microbiome and defending against infections in various body sites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of AMPs in protecting newborn infants.
  • To explore AMPs' function in modulating the microbiome and immune responses in neonates.
  • To highlight the significance of AMPs in preterm infants and high-risk populations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing current knowledge on AMPs in infant health.
  • Analysis of AMPs' involvement in microbiome regulation and immune defense.
  • Examination of AMPs' role in preterm infants and associated health outcomes.

Main Results:

  • AMPs are multifunctional peptides essential for innate immunity and microbiome homeostasis.
  • Alterations in microbiome composition and AMP profiles are linked to adverse health outcomes in preterm infants.
  • Dysbiosis can lead to inflammation-mediated diseases, impacting preterm infant health.

Conclusions:

  • AMPs play a critical role in protecting newborn infants against infections and maintaining a balanced microbiome.
  • Understanding AMPs in preterm infants is crucial for developing novel prevention and treatment strategies.
  • Targeting AMPs offers potential for innovative therapeutic approaches in high-risk infant populations.

Keywords:
antimicrobial peptidesdysbiosisepidermisinnate immune systemmicrobiomemicrobiota-regulation peptides/proteinspremature infantssustained inflammation

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