Antimicrobial proteins and peptides of blood: templates for novel antimicrobial agents

The innate immune system provides rapid and effective host defense against microbial invasion in a manner that is independent of prior exposure to a g iven pathogen,(1) It has long been appreciated that the blood contains impo rtant elements that mediate rapid responses to infection. Thus, anatomic co mpartments with ample blood supply are less frequently infected and recover more readily once infected, whereas regions with poor perfusion are prone to severe infection and may require surgical debridement. Blood-borne innat e immune mediators are either carried in circulating blood cells (ie, leuko cytes and platelets) or in plasma after release from blood cells or on secr etion by the liver. (Blood. 2000;95:2664-2672) (C) 2000 by The American Soc iety of Hematology.