[Cathelicidins - endogenous antimicrobial peptides].

Within the last decade, several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been discovered. Cathelicidins are one family of AMPs characterized by a conserved cathelin domain and a variable C-terminal cationic antimicrobial domain. These peptides are produced by different cells, including leukocytes, epithelial cells and keratinocytes.