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Liang Q, Liu Z, Liang Z, Zhu C, Li D, Kong Q, Mou H. Development strategies and application of antimicrobial peptides as future alternatives to in-feed antibiotics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172150. [PMID: 38580107 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The use of in-feed antibiotics has been widely restricted due to the significant environmental pollution and food safety concerns they have caused. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted widespread attention as potential future alternatives to in-feed antibiotics owing to their demonstrated antimicrobial activity and environment friendly characteristics. However, the challenges of weak bioactivity, immature stability, and low production yields of natural AMPs impede practical application in the feed industry. To address these problems, efforts have been made to develop strategies for approaching the AMPs with enhanced properties. Herein, we summarize approaches to improving the properties of AMPs as potential alternatives to in-feed antibiotics, mainly including optimization of structural parameters, sequence modification, selection of microbial hosts, fusion expression, and industrially fermentation control. Additionally, the potential for application of AMPs in animal husbandry is discussed. This comprehensive review lays a strong theoretical foundation for the development of in-feed AMPs to achieve the public health globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingping Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Zhemin Liu
- Fundamental Science R&D Center of Vazyme Biotech Co. Ltd., Nanjing 210000, China
| | - Ziyu Liang
- Section of Neurobiology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Changliang Zhu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Dongyu Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Qing Kong
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China
| | - Haijin Mou
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266404, China.
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2
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Ning W, Luo X, Zhang Y, Tian P, Xiao Y, Li S, Yang X, Li F, Zhang D, Zhang S, Liu Y. Broad-spectrum nano-bactericide utilizing antimicrobial peptides and bimetallic Cu-Ag nanoparticles anchored onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes for sustained protection against persistent bacterial pathogens in crops. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 265:131042. [PMID: 38521320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Worldwide crop yields are threatened by persistent pathogenic bacteria that cause significant damage and jeopardize global food security. Chemical pesticides have shown limited effectiveness in protecting crops from severe yield loss. To address this obstacle, there is a growing need to develop environmentally friendly bactericides with broad-spectrum and sustained protection against persistent crop pathogens. Here, we present a method for preparing a nanocomposite that combines antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and bimetallic Cu-Ag nanoparticles anchored onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The nanocomposite exhibited dual antibacterial activity by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and splicing nucleic acids. By functionalizing MWCNTs with small AMPs (sAMPs), we achieved enhanced stability and penetration of the nanocomposite, and improved loading capacity of the Cu-Ag nanoparticles. The synthesized MWCNTs&CuNCs@AgNPs@P nanocomposites demonstrated broad-spectrum lethality against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. Glasshouse pot trials confirmed the efficacy of the nanocomposites in protecting rice crops against bacterial leaf blight and tomato crops against bacterial wilt. These findings highlight the excellent antibacterial properties of the MWCNTs&CuNCs@AgNPs@P nanocomposite and its potential to replace chemical pesticides, offering significant advantages for agricultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Ning
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Xiangwen Luo
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Peijie Tian
- Plant Protection College, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Youlun Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Shijun Li
- Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Fan Li
- Plant Protection College, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650000, China
| | - Deyong Zhang
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China
| | - Songbai Zhang
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China.
| | - Yong Liu
- Longping branch, Biology College, Hunan University, Changsha 410125, China; Key Laboratory of Pest Management of Horticultural Crop of Hunan Province, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Science, Changsha 410125, China.
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3
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Abdullah SJ, Yan BTS, Palanivelu N, Dhanabal VB, Bifani JP, Bhattacharjya S. Outer-Membrane Permeabilization, LPS Transport Inhibition: Activity, Interactions, and Structures of Thanatin Derived Antimicrobial Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2122. [PMID: 38396798 PMCID: PMC10888688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, viable antibiotics available to mitigate infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are highly limited. Thanatin, a 21-residue-long insect-derived antimicrobial peptide (AMP), is a promising lead molecule for the potential development of novel antibiotics. Thanatin is extremely potent, particularly against the Enterobacter group of Gram-negative pathogens, e.g., E. coli and K. pneumoniae. As a mode of action, cationic thanatin efficiently permeabilizes the LPS-outer membrane and binds to the periplasmic protein LptAm to inhibit outer membrane biogenesis. Here, we have utilized N-terminal truncated 16- and 14-residue peptide fragments of thanatin and investigated structure, activity, and selectivity with correlating modes of action. A designed 16-residue peptide containing D-Lys (dk) named VF16 (V1PIIYCNRRT-dk-KCQRF16) demonstrated killing activity in Gram-negative bacteria. The VF16 peptide did not show any detectable toxicity to the HEK 293T cell line and kidney cell line Hep G2. As a mode of action, VF16 interacted with LPS, permeabilizing the outer membrane and binding to LptAm with high affinity. Atomic-resolution structures of VF16 in complex with LPS revealed cationic and aromatic surfaces involved in outer membrane interactions and permeabilization. Further, analyses of an inactive 14-residue native thanatin peptide (IM14: IIYCNRRTGKCQRM) delineated the requirement of the β-sheet structure in activity and target interactions. Taken together, this work would pave the way for the designing of short analogs of thanatin-based antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swaleeha Jaan Abdullah
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (S.J.A.); (N.P.)
| | - Bernice Tan Siu Yan
- A*Star Infectious Diseases Labs, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Nithya Palanivelu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (S.J.A.); (N.P.)
| | - Vidhya Bharathi Dhanabal
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (S.J.A.); (N.P.)
| | - Juan Pablo Bifani
- A*Star Infectious Diseases Labs, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Surajit Bhattacharjya
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore; (S.J.A.); (N.P.)
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Beyer L, Schäfer AB, Undabarrena A, Mattsby-Baltzer I, Tietze D, Svensson E, Stubelius A, Wenzel M, Cámara B, Tietze AA. Mimicking Nonribosomal Peptides from the Marine Actinomycete Streptomyces sp. H-KF8 Leads to Antimicrobial Peptides. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:79-92. [PMID: 38113038 PMCID: PMC10788856 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms within the marine environment have been shown to be very effective sources of naturally produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Several nonribosomal peptides were identified based on genome mining predictions of Streptomyces sp. H-KF8, a marine Actinomycetota isolated from a remote Northern Chilean Patagonian fjord. Based on these predictions, a series of eight peptides, including cyclic peptides, were designed and chemically synthesized. Six of these peptides showed antimicrobial activity. Mode of action studies suggest that two of these peptides potentially act on the cell membrane via a novel mechanism allowing the passage of small ions, resulting in the dissipation of the membrane potential. This study shows that though structurally similar peptides, determined by NMR spectroscopy, the incorporation of small sequence mutations results in a dramatic influence on their bioactivity including mode of action. The qualified hit sequence can serve as a basis for more potent AMPs in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa
I. Beyer
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of
Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan
7B, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Ann-Britt Schäfer
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Agustina Undabarrena
- Departamento
de Química & Centro de Biotecnología Daniel Alkalay
Lowitt, Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología
Ambiental, Universidad Técnica Federico
Santa María, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Inger Mattsby-Baltzer
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska
Academy at University of Gothenburg, University
of Gothenburg, Box 440, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Daniel Tietze
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of
Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan
7B, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Elin Svensson
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Stubelius
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
| | - Michaela Wenzel
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Beatriz Cámara
- Departamento
de Química & Centro de Biotecnología Daniel Alkalay
Lowitt, Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología
Ambiental, Universidad Técnica Federico
Santa María, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Alesia A. Tietze
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of
Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan
7B, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
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Selvaraj SP, Chen JY. Conjugation of antimicrobial peptides to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115680. [PMID: 37515922 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
The growing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has brought with it a continual increase in the numbers of deaths from multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. Since the current arsenal of antibiotics has become increasingly ineffective, there exists an urgent need for discovery and development of novel antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered to be a promising class of molecules due to their broad-spectrum activities and low resistance rates compared with other types of antibiotics. Since AMPs also often play major roles in elevating the host immune response, the molecules may also be called "host defense peptides." Despite the great promise of AMPs, the majority remain unsuitable for clinical use due to issues of structural instability, degradation by proteases, and/or toxicity to host cells. Moreover, AMP activities in vivo can be influenced by many factors, such as interaction with blood and serum biomolecules, physiological salt concentrations or different pH values. To overcome these limitations, structural modifications can be made to the AMP. Among several modifications, physical and chemical conjugation of AMP to other biomolecules is widely considered an effective strategy. In this review, we discuss structural modification strategies related to conjugation of AMPs and their possible effects on mode of action. The conjugation of fatty acids, glycans, antibiotics, photosensitizers, polymers, nucleic acids, nanoparticles, and immobilization to biomaterials are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Prasad Selvaraj
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Science Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Yih Chen
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 23-10 Dahuen Rd, Jiaushi, Ilan, 262, Taiwan; The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center and the Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan.
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6
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Chen L, Kumar S, Wu H. A review of current antibiotic resistance and promising antibiotics with novel modes of action to combat antibiotic resistance. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:356. [PMID: 37863957 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03699-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The emergence and transmission of antibiotic resistance is a global public health crisis with significant burden on healthcare systems, resulting in high mortality and economic costs. In 2019, almost five million deaths were associated with drug-resistant infections, and if left unchecked, the global economy could lose $100 trillion by 2050. To effectively combat this crisis, it is essential for all countries to understand the current situation of antibiotic resistance. In this review, we examine the current driving factors leading to the crisis, impact of critical superbugs in three regions, and identify novel mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. It is crucial to monitor the phenotypic characteristics of drug-resistant pathogens and describe the mechanisms involved in preventing the emergence of cross-resistance to novel antimicrobials. Additionally, maintaining an active pipeline of new antibiotics is essential for fighting against diverse antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Developing antibacterial agents with novel mechanisms of action is a promising way to combat increasing antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
- School of Graduate Studies, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia.
| | - Hongyan Wu
- Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, China
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Lennard PR, Hiemstra PS, Nibbering PH. Complementary Activities of Host Defence Peptides and Antibiotics in Combating Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1518. [PMID: 37887219 PMCID: PMC10604037 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12101518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their ability to eliminate antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria and to modulate the immune response, host defence peptides (HDPs) hold great promise for the clinical treatment of bacterial infections. Whereas monotherapy with HDPs is not likely to become an effective first-line treatment, combinations of such peptides with antibiotics can potentially provide a path to future therapies for AMR infections. Therefore, we critically reviewed the recent literature regarding the antibacterial activity of combinations of HDPs and antibiotics against AMR bacteria and the approaches taken in these studies. Of the 86 studies compiled, 56 featured a formal assessment of synergy between agents. Of the combinations assessed, synergistic and additive interactions between HDPs and antibiotics amounted to 84.9% of the records, while indifferent and antagonistic interactions accounted for 15.1%. Penicillin, aminoglycoside, fluoro/quinolone, and glycopeptide antibiotic classes were the most frequently documented as interacting with HDPs, and Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecium were the most reported bacterial species. Few studies formally evaluated the effects of combinations of HDPs and antibiotics on bacteria, and even fewer assessed such combinations against bacteria within biofilms, in animal models, or in advanced tissue infection models. Despite the biases of the current literature, the studies suggest that effective combinations of HDPs and antibiotics hold promise for the future treatment of infections caused by AMR bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick R. Lennard
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
- Institute of Immunology and Infection, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FE, UK
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands;
| | - Pieter S. Hiemstra
- PulmoScience Lab, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands
| | - Peter H. Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden 2333, The Netherlands;
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Mhlongo JT, Waddad AY, Albericio F, de la Torre BG. Antimicrobial Peptide Synergies for Fighting Infectious Diseases. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2300472. [PMID: 37407512 PMCID: PMC10502873 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202300472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential elements of thehost defense system. Characterized by heterogenous structures and broad-spectrumaction, they are promising candidates for combating multidrug resistance. Thecombined use of AMPs with other antimicrobial agents provides a new arsenal ofdrugs with synergistic action, thereby overcoming the drawback of monotherapiesduring infections. AMPs kill microbes via pore formation, thus inhibitingintracellular functions. This mechanism of action by AMPs is an advantage overantibiotics as it hinders the development of drug resistance. The synergisticeffect of AMPs will allow the repurposing of conventional antimicrobials andenhance their clinical outcomes, reduce toxicity, and, most significantly,prevent the development of resistance. In this review, various synergies ofAMPs with antimicrobials and miscellaneous agents are discussed. The effect ofstructural diversity and chemical modification on AMP properties is firstaddressed and then different combinations that can lead to synergistic action,whether this combination is between AMPs and antimicrobials, or AMPs andmiscellaneous compounds, are attended. This review can serve as guidance whenredesigning and repurposing the use of AMPs in combination with other antimicrobialagents for enhanced clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica T. Mhlongo
- KwaZulu‐Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP)School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical SciencesCollege of Health SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurban4041South Africa
- Peptide Science LaboratorySchool of Chemistry and PhysicsUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalWestvilleDurban4000South Africa
| | - Ayman Y. Waddad
- Peptide Science LaboratorySchool of Chemistry and PhysicsUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalWestvilleDurban4000South Africa
| | - Fernando Albericio
- Peptide Science LaboratorySchool of Chemistry and PhysicsUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalWestvilleDurban4000South Africa
- CIBER‐BBNNetworking Centre on BioengineeringBiomaterials and Nanomedicineand Department of Organic ChemistryUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelona08028Spain
| | - Beatriz G. de la Torre
- KwaZulu‐Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP)School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical SciencesCollege of Health SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurban4041South Africa
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9
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Raileanu M, Borlan R, Campu A, Janosi L, Turcu I, Focsan M, Bacalum M. No country for old antibiotics! Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as next-generation treatment for skin and soft tissue infection. Int J Pharm 2023:123169. [PMID: 37356506 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the unprecedented rise of bacterial antibiotic resistance together with the lack of adequate therapies have made the treatment of skin infections and chronic wounds challenging, urging the scientific community to focus on the development of new and more efficient treatment strategies. In this context, there is a growing interest in the use of natural molecules with antimicrobial features, capable of supporting wound healing i.e., antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections. In this review, we give a short overview of the bacterial skin infections as well as some of the classic treatments used for topical application. We then summarize the AMPs classes, stressing the importance of the appropriate selection of the peptides based on their characteristics and physicochemical properties in order to maximize the antibacterial efficacy of the therapeutic systems against multi-drug resistant pathogens. Additionally, the present paper provides a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the latest clinical trials investigating the efficacy of AMPs in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, highlighting the relevant outcomes. Seeking to obtain novel and improved compounds with synergistic activity, while also decreasing some of the known side effects of AMPs, we present two employed strategies using AMPs: (i) AMPs-conjugated nanosystems for systemic and topical drug delivery systems and (ii) antibiotics-peptide conjugates as a strategy to overcome antibiotics resistance. Finally, an important property of some of the AMPs used in wound treatment is highlighted: their ability to help in wound healing by generally promoting cell proliferation and migration, and in some cases re-epithelialization and angiogenesis among others. Thus, as the pursuit of improvement is an ongoing effort, this work presents the advances made in the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections along with their advantages and limitations, while the still remaining challenges are addressed by providing future prospects and strategies to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Raileanu
- Department of Life and Environmental Physics, Horia Hulubei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Reactorului 30, Măgurele 077125, Romania
| | - Raluca Borlan
- Nanobiophotonics and Laser Microspectroscopy Center, Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Treboniu Laurian No. 42, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Campu
- Nanobiophotonics and Laser Microspectroscopy Center, Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Treboniu Laurian No. 42, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lorant Janosi
- Molecular and Biomolecular Physics Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 65-103 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Turcu
- Molecular and Biomolecular Physics Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 65-103 Donath Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Monica Focsan
- Nanobiophotonics and Laser Microspectroscopy Center, Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Bio-Nano-Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Treboniu Laurian No. 42, 400271 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Mihaela Bacalum
- Department of Life and Environmental Physics, Horia Hulubei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Reactorului 30, Măgurele 077125, Romania.
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Hadjicharalambous A, Bournakas N, Newman H, Skynner MJ, Beswick P. Antimicrobial and Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Understanding Penetration for the Design of Novel Conjugate Antibiotics. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:1636. [PMID: 36421280 PMCID: PMC9686638 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11111636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short oligopeptides that can penetrate the bacterial inner and outer membranes. Together with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), they are called membrane active peptides; peptides which can translocate across biological membranes. Over the last fifty years, attempts have been made to understand the molecular features that drive the interactions of membranes with membrane active peptides. This review examines the features of a membrane these peptides exploit for translocation, as well as the physicochemical characteristics of membrane active peptides which are important for translocation. Moreover, it presents examples of how these features have been used in recent years to create conjugates consisting of a membrane active peptide, called a "vector", attached to either a current or novel antibiotic, called a "cargo" or "payload". In addition, the review discusses what properties may contribute to an ideal peptide vector able to deliver cargoes across the bacterial outer membrane as the rising issue of antimicrobial resistance demands new strategies to be employed to combat this global public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hadjicharalambous
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
| | - Nikolaos Bournakas
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
| | - Hector Newman
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Michael J. Skynner
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
| | - Paul Beswick
- BicycleTx Limited, Portway Building, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6GS, UK
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