Chapters authored
Start of a Pandemic: Influenza A H1N1 Virus
Part of the book: Respiratory Diseases
Pathogenesis of Viral Respiratory Infection
Part of the book: Respiratory Disease and Infection
Multifunctional Activity of the β-Defensin-2 during Respiratory Infections
Human β-defensin-2 is a small cationic peptide that is part of the innate and adaptive immunity. It is expressed mainly in the epithelium and has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses. In addition to its antimicrobial activity, it has other biological functions. The alteration of the expression of β-defensin-2 in the respiratory epithelium has been associated with the pathogenesis of several respiratory diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, rhinitis, etc. The acute respiratory infections caused by viruses are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world; there are few studies and it is necessary to study this peptide to understand its role in the viral pathogenesis. In addition, it also becomes relevant in its potential to take advantage of its properties in the development of alternative therapies that allow the prevention or treatment of viral respiratory infections.
Part of the book: Immune Response Activation and Immunomodulation