Oligopeptides formed by humans themselves with broad antimicrobial activity, which protect the organism against infections as part of the innate immunity. The term "endogenous antibiotics" is used synonymously with the term "antimicrobial peptides".
Endogenously synthesized antibiotics
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"Endogenous antibiotics" are expressed on the surfaces of the organism of corresponding cells. Here, each region produces specific cationic oligopeptides that can act locally exclusively and under very specific conditions.
Small intestine: The Paneth gland cells of the Lieberkühn crypts of the small intestine produce cryptin, an alpha-defensin.
Lung: Similar oligopeptides are produced in the lung, beta-defensins. Other antibacterial peptides in the lungs are the surfactant proteins.
Vagina: The vagina is protected by protegrins.
Kidney: In the cells of the loops of Henle of the kidney, the Tamm-Horsfall protein is formed, which binds to fimbriae of coliform bacteria and prevents their adhesion to the bladder wall.
Huat: Dermicidin and lysozyme are formed in the epithelia of the skin.
Also in the blood as well as in the tissues there are substances which attack bacteria directly, e.g. some chemokines, defensins, complement components as well as the C-reactive protein (CRP), whose production is multiplied in a very short time if necessary.