Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): New Perspectives on Their Function in Dermatological Diseases

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small cationic or amphipathic molecules that are produced by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic species. The latest findings in the field of dermatology point to the potential significance of AMPs in the battle against skin microbial infections. AMPs additionally function as multifunctional immune effectors, promoting angiogenesis, wound healing, and the production of cytokines and chemokines. In human skin, AMPs such as β-defensin, S100, and cathelicidin are primarily secreted by keratinocytes, neutrophils, sebocytes, or sweat glands. These substances are either produced continuously or expressed in reaction to certain inflammatory stimuli, thus playing a role in the development of various skin diseases in humans. Furthermore, in contrast to other human skin conditions, the level of AMP synthesis decreases as the disease progresses. In this review, we provide data supporting the role of AMPs as natural mediators of dermatological problems, as well as their potential for being used as therapeutic agents in the treatment of skin diseases.