Abstract
Cathelicidin, a host defense antibacterial peptide in humans can eradicate different kinds of microbial infection. This study sought to elucidate the actions of cathelicidin in protection against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection both in vitro and in vivo. To examine the direct antimicrobial action of cathelicidin, H. pylori survival, biofilm formation and morphology change were determined after exposure to different doses of cathelicidin in vitro. Intracellular H. pylori in gastric epithelial cells and in cathelicidin wild‐type (Cnlp+/+) and knockout (Cnlp−/−) mice stomachs were also investigated. Results showed that exogenous cathelicidin could affect H. pylori growth, destroy bacteria biofilm and cause pore formation in H. pylori membranes. Endogenous cathelicidin in gastric epithelial cells could be induced by active form of vitamin D (1,25D3). We also showed that 1,25D3 eliminated the intracellular H. pylori in vitro. Furthermore, Cnlp−/−mice exhibited stronger H. pylori colonization in both acute and chronic H. pylori infection when compared with Cnlp+/+ mice. To further confirm this antibacterial action was due to endogenous cathelicidin, a high level of mouse gastric cathelicidin (CRAMP) production was found in Cnlp+/+ mice but not in Cnlp−/− animals. This finding could partially explain why there was less bacterial infection in wild type mice. Taken together, these results indicate that human cathelicidin plays a significant role as a host defense peptide for H. pylori clearance and infection.
Published Version
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