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The Contribution of Human Antimicrobial Peptides to Fungi

Qiaoxi Zhang1, Kitman Choi1, Xiaoyue Wang1

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, #107 Yanjiang West Rd., Guangzhou 510120, China.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|March 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show broad-spectrum antifungal activity and are key immune components. This review explores their mechanisms, distribution, and potential as novel antifungal therapies against clinical fungal pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Mycology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Fungal infections pose significant health risks, with many species becoming pathogenic under certain conditions.
  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial innate immune components with broad-spectrum antimicrobial capabilities.
  • Human AMPs offer diverse mechanisms against various pathogens, including fungi.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with antifungal activity.
  • To detail the mechanisms of action, distribution, and antifungal spectrum of human AMPs.
  • To discuss novel antifungal strategies and challenges in developing AMP-based therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on antimicrobial peptides and fungal infections.
  • Analysis of AMP mechanisms of action against clinical fungal pathogens.
  • Synthesis of current research on novel antifungal strategies and therapeutic development.

Main Results:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit significant antifungal activity against common and rare clinical fungal pathogens.
  • AMPs are distributed throughout the human body and play a vital role in immune response.
  • Various AMP classes demonstrate diverse mechanisms for combating fungal infections.

Conclusions:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising class of agents for treating fungal infections.
  • Further research and clinical trials are necessary to overcome challenges in developing AMP-based antifungal therapies.
  • AMPs hold potential to offer new treatment options for patients with challenging fungal infections.
Keywords:
AspergillusCandidaantifungal strategiescathelicidinsdefensinsfungihuman antimicrobial peptides

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