University of Iowa Research Foundation

Hong Peng Jia

Paul B McCray, Jr

Mark Aaron Behlke

Beverly L Davidson

Patrick Sinn

Anthony J Fischer

Maureen D Donovan

Brian C Schutte

Brian F Tack

The present invention is directed to small interfering RNA molecules targeted against a gene of interest in respiratory epithelial cells, and methods of using these RNA molecules.

RNA interference in respiratory epithelial cells

RNA interference in respiratory epitheial cells

The present invention relates a novel antimicrobial peptide HBD-3 and derivatives thereof as well as the gene encoding the peptide. The invention further relates to methods of use of the HBD-3 peptide including a method of inhibiting microbial growth by administering an effective amount of the HBD-3 peptide alone or in combinination with other antimicrobial agents or antibiotics. In addition, the immunomodulatory properties of the HBD-3 peptide also facilitate the manipulation of the immune response, i.e., as a chemoattractant for immature dentritic cells or memory T cells.

Human beta-defensin-3 (HBD-3), a highly cationic beta-defensin antimicrobial peptide

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Iowa City, IA, United States of America

Hong Peng Jia