Keratin-derived peptides for corneal inflammation and infection

Host antimicrobial peptides derived from the keratin family member KRT6A could help treat bacterial infection and inflammation from bacterial keratitis by disrupting bacterial cell envelopes and preventing interactions between bacteria and host TLR receptors.

In primary mouse neutrophils and macrophages stimulated via TLR4 with LPS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or via TLR2 with LTA from Staphylococcus aureus, co-incubation with either of two single-coiled, KRT6A-derived peptides decreased proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production compared with a scrambled peptide. ...