Mammalian antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role in host defense via direct antimicrobial activity as well as immune regulation. The mouse cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (mCRAMP), produced from the mouse gene Camp, is the only mouse cathelicidin identified and the ortholog of the human gene encoding the peptide LL-37. This study tested the hypothesis that mouse B and T cells produce and respond to mCRAMP. We show that all mature mouse B-cell subsets, including follicular (FO), marginal zone (MZ), B1a, and B1b cells, as well as CD4 + and CD8 + T cells produce Camp mRNA and mCRAMP protein. Camp -/- B cells produced equivalent levels of IgM, IgG3, and IgG2c but less IgG1 and IgE, while Camp -/- CD4 + T cells cultured in Th2-inducing conditions produced more IL-4-expressing cells when compared with WT cells, effects that were reversed upon addition of mCRAMP. In vivo, Camp -/- mice immunized with TNP-OVA absorbed in alum produced an enhanced TNP-specific IgG1 response when compared with WT mice. ELISpot analysis revealed increased numbers of TNP-specific IgG1-secreting splenic B cells and FACS analysis revealed increased CD4 + T-cell IL-4 expression. Our results suggest that mCRAMP differentially regulates B- and T-cell function and implicate mCRAMP in the regulation of adaptive immune responses. © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
