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Review
. 2017 Mar 7;22(3):424.
doi: 10.3390/molecules22030424.

β-Defensins in the Fight against Helicobacter pylori

Raffaela Pero  1 , Lorena Coretti  2 , Ersilia Nigro  3   4 , Francesca Lembo  5 , Sonia Laneri  6 , Barbara Lombardo  7   8 , Aurora Daniele  9   10 , Olga Scudiero  11   12
Affiliations
Review

β-Defensins in the Fight against Helicobacter pylori

Raffaela Pero et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play a pivotal role in the innate immune responses to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in humans. β-Defensins, a class of cationic arginine-rich AMPs, are small peptides secreted by immune cells and epithelial cells that exert antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. During Hp infections, AMP expression is able to eradicate the bacteria, thereby preventing Hp infections in gastrointestinal tract. It is likely that gastric β-defensins expression is increased during Hp infection. The aim of this review is to focus on increased knowledge of the role of β-defensins in response to Hp infection. We also briefly discuss the potential use of AMPs, either alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics, for the treatment of Hp infection.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; antimicrobial therapy; defensins; gastric disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of Hp infection in gastric epithelium. (A) CagA induces EGFR dephosphorylation abrogating HBD3 expression and increasing bacterial viability; (B) Cag A inhibits IFN-γ-dependent STAT1 signaling which in turn promotes bacterial survival.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic representation of β-defensins role in Hp infection. Hp infection leads to a significant induction of β-defensins that play a pivotal role in the immune response of the gastrointestinal epithelium to Hp infection, influencing and activating the adaptive immune system.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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