**8. Antimicrobial Neuropeptides**

#### *8.1. Expression*

Neuropeptides (NPs) are low molecular weight, cationic, amphipathic AMPs. Traditionally NPs are thought to transmit and modulate signals in central and peripheral nervous systems. However, in recent years, NPs have demonstrated antimicrobial activities [142,143]. The NP, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) exhibits both antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity (Table 1). α-MSH is a 13-amino acid peptide that is a product of posttranslational processing of the precursor molecule pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) [144]. α-MSH is widely expressed in peripheral brain tissue and by numerous cells including monocytes, dendritic cells, melanocytes, pituitary cells as well as T lymphocytes [142,144]. The active component of α-MSH resides in the C-terminal tripeptide (11-13, KPV) [144].
