Among the antimicrobial proteins and peptides of humans is the cationic 55 kDa
bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), which possesses antibacterial, endotoxin-
neutalizing and opsonic activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Although identified
originally as an abundant constituent of neutrophil granules, we have recently identified
functional expression of BPI by human mucosal epithelia. BPI expression was markedly up-
regulated by exposure of epithelia to lipoxins, endogenous anti-inflammatory eicosanoids …