Cathelicidins in farm animals: Structural diversity, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential in the face of antimicrobial resistance

Abstract

Cathelicidins are a diverse family of antimicrobial peptides found across many vertebrate species, playing a pivotal role in the innate immune system. These peptides exhibit a variety of structural motifs, including α-helices, β-hairpins, and random coils, contributing to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The structural diversity of cathelicidins allows them to interact with a wide range of microbial targets, thereby enhancing their antimicrobial efficacy. Distinct species produce specific cathelicidins, each adapted to meet their unique immune requirements. Cathelicidins primarily function by disrupting microbial membranes, leading to cell lysis. Beyond their direct antimicrobial action, they possess immunomodulatory properties that bolster host defense mechanisms. These properties include promoting chemotaxis, enhancing phagocytosis, and inducing cytokine production, thereby modulating the host immune response. The therapeutic potential of cathelicidins is significant, especially in light of the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As conventional antibiotics lose efficacy, cathelicidins emerge as promising alternatives due to their unique mechanisms of action and reduced likelihood of inducing resistance. Recent research underscores their potential in treating infections, inflammatory diseases, and even cancer. Advances in synthetic biology offer promising prospects for effective cathelicidin-based therapies in the future. This review summarizes the diversity, modes of action, and clinical prospects of cathelicidins specific to farm animals.