Towards the Application of Human Defensins as Antivirals
Biomolecules & Therapeutics
; : 242-254, 2018.
Article
de En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-714742
Bibliothèque responsable:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that participate in the innate immunity of hosts. Humans constitutively and/or inducibly express α- and β-defensins, which are known for their antiviral and antibacterial activities. This review describes the application of human defensins. We discuss the extant experimental results, limited though they are, to consider the potential applicability of human defensins as antiviral agents. Given their antiviral effects, we propose that basic research be conducted on human defensins that focuses on RNA viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and dengue virus (DENV), which are considered serious human pathogens but have posed huge challenges for vaccine development for different reasons. Concerning the prophylactic and therapeutic applications of defensins, we then discuss the applicability of human defensins as antivirals that has been demonstrated in reports using animal models. Finally, we discuss the potential adjuvant-like activity of human defensins and propose an exploration of the ‘defensin vaccine’ concept to prime the body with a controlled supply of human defensins. In sum, we suggest a conceptual framework to achieve the practical application of human defensins to combat viral infections.
Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Indice:
WPRIM
Sujet Principal:
Antiviraux
/
Virus de la grippe A
/
Peptides
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Virus respiratoires syncytiaux
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Virus à ARN
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VIH (Virus de l'Immunodéficience Humaine)
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Défensines
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Modèles animaux
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Virus de la dengue
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Immunité innée
Limites du sujet:
Humans
langue:
En
Texte intégral:
Biomolecules & Therapeutics
Année:
2018
Type:
Article