Host Defence Peptides: Modulation of Inflammation in Health and Disease

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Vaccines is focused on the immunomodulatory functions of Host Defence Peptides (HDPs). Contributions to this issue are expected to encompass basic and translation research on aspects of how HDPs influence inflammation in health and disease. HDPs, also known as antimicrobial peptides, are cationic, typically amphipathic, short peptides, expressed across diverse species that include microbes, insects, amphibians, reptiles, plants and mammals. The most well-characterized HDPs in mammals are cathelicidins and defensins. HDPs are important in host defence mechanisms required for resolution of infections and modulation of inflammation. Studies in the last three decades have established that HDPs exert a wide range of functions that influence immune responses. HDPs are essential elements of innate immunity and play an integral role in the initiation, polarisation and enhancement of adaptive immune response. Immunity-related functions of HDPs influence immune homeostasis, wound healing and various aspects of the inflammatory process. It is, thus, not surprising that altered expression of HDPs have been associated with various chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmunity. However, the role of HDPs in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease is not fully elucidated. Studies have demonstrated that HDPs contribute to both immune activation and regulation of inflammation, which are dependent on cellular composition, environmental stimuli and the kinetics of inflammatory response. In this Special Issue, we seek to provide insights into the complexity of mechanisms that underlie diverse immunomodulatory functions of HDPs. We also aim to include research on HDPs in chronic inflammatory disease and autoimmunity, and the application of HDPs and/or related peptides as novel immunomodulatory therapeutics.

Dr. Neeloffer Mookherjee
Guest Editor

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