Skip to main content

Host Defense Peptide Regulation

Meaning

Host Defense Peptide Regulation refers to the sophisticated physiological control over the expression and activity of small, antimicrobial molecules produced by the host organism, primarily by epithelial cells and immune cells. These peptides, such as defensins and cathelicidins, are a critical component of the innate immune system, providing a first line of defense against potential pathogens at mucosal surfaces, particularly in the gut and skin. Precise regulation is necessary to eliminate harmful microbes without inducing excessive inflammation or damaging host tissues.