Antimicrobial Peptides: Maintaining Sterility of the Urinary Tract

Abstract

Due to its close proximity to the gastrointestinal tract, the normally sterile urinary tract is constantly challenged by microbial invasion. To counter this microbial assault, the urinary tract has developed a highly effective antimicrobial “shield” that can rapidly eliminate invading pathogens or prevent their growth. During recent years, considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the immune mechanisms that contribute to urinary tract sterility. Recent evidence indicates that cationic antimicrobial peptides contribute to the innate host defense of the urinary tract. This chapter reviews the published literature on the role(s) of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in maintaining urinary tract sterility.