A bacteria-fighting peptide previously identified in skin cells,
hair follicles and the mouth has been identified in the urinary
tract and may be partly responsible for protecting it from
infection. These are the findings from a Nationwide Children’s
study appearing in Kidney International. “The urinary tract is
constantly challenged by microbial invasion,” said David Hains,
MD, principal investigator in the Center for Clinical and
Translational Research at The Research Institute at Nationwide
Children’s. “Yet, it often remains free from colonization. It’s
not clear how the urinary tract maintains sterility.” Components
of the innate immune response known as antimicrobial peptides
have been shown to kill bacteria, including strains that are
antibiotic resistant. Several antimicrobial peptides are found
in urine. “The presence of antimicrobial peptides in the urine
suggests that they may play a role in protecting the urinary
tract from infection,” said Dr. Hains. Upon examining human
kidney, ureter and bladder