Antimicrobial peptides of the oral cavity

Antimicrobial peptides of the oral cavity SVEN-ULRIK GORRAntimicrobial proteins and peptides constitute a diverse class of host-defense molecules that act early to combat invasion and infection with bacteria and other microorganisms.These peptides have engendered considerable interest in the past decade as a biological paradigm in innate immunity and as a potential source of novel antibiotics.Many recent reviews have explored the biological diversity and function of this class of peptides [e.g.(36, 50, 73, 80, 103, 126, 127, 191, 209, 221, 226, 255)].This review focuses especially on antimicrobial proteins and peptides of the oral cavity and on their role in periodontal disease.The potential use of antimicrobial peptides as templates for novel antibiotics is also discussed.