Streptococcus pneumoniae induced alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone in infected human bronchial epithelial cells

Introduction: Antimicrobial peptides produced by epithelial cells are essential components of innate immunity. They show direct antimicrobial activity, and function as immune mediators. Several properties of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) suggested that it could be a natural antimicrobial peptide. Aim: The goal of this study was to determine the effect of Streptococcus pneumoniae, an important causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia on alpha-MSH gene expression in lung epithelial cells, and to characterize further the signaling pathways involved in this process. Methods: Bronchial epith…