Expression of Natural Peptide Antibiotics in Human Articular Cartilage and Synovial Membrane

In view of frequent present use of invasive procedures on limb joints, it is astonishing that articular joint inflammation is a rare event. We questioned whether antimicrobial peptides play a role in protecting human articular cartilage and synovial membrane against inflammatory agents. Our results implicate defensins in the protection of human articular joints against pathogens.