Serpin functions in host-pathogen interactions

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1 State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
2 Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
3 Division of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
4 College of Life Sciences, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
DOI
10.7287/peerj.preprints.26645v1
Published
Accepted
Subject Areas
Biochemistry, Microbiology, Parasitology, Immunology
Keywords
Serpin, Serine protease, Host-pathogen interaction, Infection, Inflammation
Copyright
© 2018 Bao et al.
Licence
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, reproduction and adaptation in any medium and for any purpose provided that it is properly attributed. For attribution, the original author(s), title, publication source (PeerJ Preprints) and either DOI or URL of the article must be cited.
Cite this article
Bao J, Pan G, Poncz M, Wei J, Ran M, Zhou Z. 2018. Serpin functions in host-pathogen interactions. PeerJ Preprints 6:e26645v1

Abstract

Serpins are a broadly distributed superfamily of protease inhibitors that are present in all kingdoms of life. The acronym, serpin, is derived from their function as potent ser ine p roteases in hibitors. Early studies of serpins focused on their functions in haemostasis since modulating serine proteases activities are essential for coagulation. Additional research has revealed that serpins function in infection and inflammation, by modulating serine and cysteine proteases activities. The aim of this review is to summarize the accumulating findings and current understanding of the functions of serpins in host-pathogen interactions, serving as host defense proteins as well as pathogenic factors. We also discuss the potential crosstalk between host and pathogen serpins. We anticipate that future research will elucidate the therapeutic value of this novel target.

Author Comment

This is a submission to PeerJ for review.