CRAMP (mouse) is a cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expressed in embryonic and adult mice[1]. AMPs exert multiple immunomodulatory effects that may be dominant under physiological conditions and lose their bactericidal properties in serum and tissue environments[2]. CRAMP (mouse) is an effective antibiotic against Gram-negative bacteria by inhibiting the growth of multiple bacterial strains and directly permeabilizing the inner membrane of Escherichia coli[3]. Mice lacking CRAMP are more susceptible to central nervous system pneumococcal infection, resulting in higher bacterial loads within the brain and outside the central nervous system, accompanied by reduced neutrophil infiltration and higher mortality[4]. CRAMP (mouse) is able to enhance the chemotactic response of bone marrow-derived stem/progenitor cells (BMSPCs) to a low α-chemokine stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) gradient[5].
References:
[1] Gallo R L, Kim K J, Bernfield M, et al. Identification of CRAMP, a cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide expressed in the embryonic and adult mouse[J]. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1997, 272(20): 13088-13093.
[2] Xia X, Cheng L, Zhang S, et al. The role of natural antimicrobial peptides during infection and chronic inflammation[J]. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, 2018, 111: 5-26.
[3] Mishra N M, Briers Y, Lamberigts C, et al. Evaluation of the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of novel CRAMP–vancomycin conjugates with diverse linkers[J]. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 2015, 13(27): 7477-7486.
[4] Kress E, Merres J, Albrecht L J, et al. CRAMP deficiency leads to a pro-inflammatory phenotype and impaired phagocytosis after exposure to bacterial meningitis pathogens[J]. Cell Communication and Signaling, 2017, 15: 1-15.
[5] Klyachkin Y M, Idris A, Rodell C B, et al. Cathelicidin related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) enhances bone marrow cell retention and attenuates cardiac dysfunction in a mouse model of myocardial infarction[J]. Stem cell reviews and reports, 2018, 14: 702-714.