The Human Salivary Antimicrobial Peptide Profile according to the Oral Microbiota in Health, Periodontitis and Smoking
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a diverse family of peptides that defend the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity and other locations. Many AMPs have multiple functions and properties that influence aspects of innate defense and colonization by microorganisms. The human oral cavity is home to the second-most diverse microbiome, and the health of the mouth is influenced by the presence of these ba