Host defense peptides for use as potential therapeutics.

The ongoing emergence of bacterial strains resistant to multiple classes of antimicrobial agents continually exerts pressure on researchers to develop novel molecules and novel approaches to combat these bacterial pathogens. One such approach is the use of topical agents to prevent or treat infections of exposed and accessible tissue. These surfaces are primarily protected in humans by innate immunity, and a significant part of this system consists of the activities of host-defense peptides. Recently, these molecules have been demonstrated to exhibit a wide range of defense-targeted activities, including antimicrobial efficacy. This review details the role and activities of these peptides, and examines their applicability as development candidates for use as topical antibiotics.