Host defense amyloids: Biosensors of the immune system?

There is considerable evidence showing that highly ordered aggregate structures known as amyloids carry out essential biological roles in species ranging from bacteria to humans. Indeed, many antimicrobial peptides/proteins form amyloids to carry out their host defense functions and many amyloids are antimicrobial. The similarity of host defense amyloids from bacterial biofilms to the mammalian epididymal amyloid matrix implies highly conserved host defense structures/functions. With an emphasis on the epididymal amyloid matrix, here we review the common properties of host defense amyloids including unique traits that would allow them to function as powerful biosensors of the immune system.

Automated summary

There is significant evidence that amyloids, highly ordered aggregate structures, play crucial biological roles in various species, including bacteria and humans. Antimicrobial peptides/proteins often form amyloids to carry out host defense functions, indicating their preservation across different organisms. This review focuses on the epididymal amyloid matrix and discusses the common properties of host defense amyloids, including their unique traits as powerful biosensors of the immune system.