Antimicrobial host defence peptides: functions and clinical potential

Cationic host defence peptides (CHDP), also known as antimicrobial peptides, are naturally occurring peptides that can combat infections through their direct microbicidal properties and/or by influencing the host’s immune responses. The unique ability of CHDP to control infections as well as resolve harmful inflammation has generated interest in harnessing the properties of these peptides to develop new therapies for infectious diseases, chronic inflammatory disorders and wound healing. Various strategies have been used to design synthetic optimized peptides, with negligible toxicity. Here, we focus on the progress made in understanding the scope of functions of CHDP and the emerging potential clinical applications of CHDP-based therapies. Naturally occurring cationic host defence peptides, also known as antimicrobial peptides, can control infections by their direct microbicidal properties and by modulating the host’s immune responses. In addition, certain cationic host defence peptides can resolve harmful inflammation. Here, Mookherjee et al. assess the emerging potential to therapeutically harness these peptides to treat infectious diseases, chronic inflammatory disorders and wound healing, highlighting current preclinical studies and clinical trials.