The Interplay between Defensins and Microbiota in Crohn's Disease. (26th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coretti, Lorena; Natale, Alessandro; Cuomo, Mariella; Florio, Ermanno; Keller, Simona; Lembo, Francesca; Chiariotti, Lorenzo; Pero, Raffaela
• Other Names: Zhao Dezheng Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Mediators of inflammation. Volume 2017(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-01-26
• Subjects: Inflammation -- Mediators -- Periodicals; Biological response modifiers -- Periodicals; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Médiateurs; Immunomodulateurs; Biological response modifiers; Inflammation -- Mediators; Immunology; Autacoids; Immunologic Factors; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Cell Communication; Cytokines; Inflammation; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.0473
• DOI: 10.1155/2017/8392523
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-9351

Abstract

Abstract : Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, characterized by periods of acute recurrence and remission. Depending on the specific region affected, CD is classified as ileal CD or colonic CD. It is largely accepted that the intestinal microbiota is involved in the onset of the pathology. Indeed, a reduced immune tolerance to components of the intestinal commensal microbiota and inflammation of the intestinal barrier typifies patients with CD. Several studies have shown defective expression of intestinal antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in patients with CD compared to controls, particularly defensins. A reduction in α -defensins is observed in ileal CD, while β -defensins are increased in colonic CD. In addition to an immunological basis, the disease is frequently associated with genetic alterations including mutations of NOD2 gene. Several therapeutic strategies to circumvent the dysfunction observed in CD are currently under investigation. These include the use of delivery systems to administer endogenous AMPs and the engineering of peptidomimetics that could ameliorate the severity of CD. In this review, the role defensins play in CD and the strategies aimed at overcoming bacterial resistance will be discussed.