Objective: The aim of this review is to examine the multiple activities of antimicrobial
peptides (AMPs) in vertebrates. Content: The largest AMP families are the cathelicidins and …

Abstract β-defensins are components of host defense, with antimicrobial and pleiotropic
immuno-modulatory properties. Research over the last 15 years has demonstrated …

While proteases are essential in gastrointestinal physiology, accumulating evidence
indicates that dysregulated proteolysis plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of …

Spermatozoa released from the testis are unable to fertilize an egg without a coordinated
process of maturation in the lumen of the epididymis. Relatively little is known about the …

As embryonic development proceeds, numerous organs need to coil, bend or fold in order to
establish their final shape. Generally, this occurs so as to maximise the surface area for …

The primary job of the epididymis is to mature and protect the luminally transiting
spermatozoa. Mounting evidence is showing that innate immune components [including Toll …

Background Increasing evidences indicate that an unbalance between tryptases and their
endogenous inhibitors, leading to an increased proteolytic activity, is implicated in the …

The Wolffian duct (WD) is an embryonic tissue that undergoes androgen-induced
morphological changes to become the epididymis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-and nuclear …

Background: Spermatozoa become mature and acquire fertilizing capacity during their
passage through the epididymal lumen. In this study, we identified new epididymal luminal …

The Wolffian duct (WD) undergoes morphological changes induced by androgens to form
the epididymis, which is an organ essential for sperm maturation. Androgen action in WD …