1
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Berglin M, Cavanagh JP, Caous JS, Thakkar BS, Vasquez JM, Stensen W, Lyvén B, Svendsen JS, Svenson J. Flexible and Biocompatible Antifouling Polyurethane Surfaces Incorporating Tethered Antimicrobial Peptides through Click Reactions. Macromol Biosci 2024; 24:e2300425. [PMID: 38009664 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Efficient, simple antibacterial materials to combat implant-associated infections are much in demand. Herein, the development of polyurethanes, both cross-linked thermoset and flexible and versatile thermoplastic, suitable for "click on demand" attachment of antibacterial compounds enabled via incorporation of an alkyne-containing diol monomer in the polymer backbone, is described. By employing different polyolic polytetrahydrofurans, isocyanates, and chain extenders, a robust and flexible material comparable to commercial thermoplastic polyurethane is prepared. A series of short synthetic antimicrobial peptides are designed, synthesized, and covalently attached in a single coupling step to generate a homogenous coating. The lead material is shown to be biocompatible and does not display any toxicity against either mouse fibroblasts or reconstructed human epidermis according to ISO and OECD guidelines. The repelling performance of the peptide-coated materials is illustrated against colonization and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis on coated plastic films and finally, on coated commercial central venous catheters employing LIVE/DEAD staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and bacterial counts. This study presents the successful development of a versatile and scalable polyurethane with the potential for use in the medical field to reduce the impact of bacterial biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Berglin
- Department of Materials and Production, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Gothenburg, 413 46, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, 413 90, Sweden
| | - Jorunn Pauline Cavanagh
- Amicoat A/S, Oslo Science Park, Oslo, 1386, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, 9019, Norway
| | - Josefin Seth Caous
- Department of Materials and Production, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Gothenburg, 413 46, Sweden
| | | | - Jeddah Marie Vasquez
- Department of Materials and Production, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Gothenburg, 413 46, Sweden
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, 9019, Norway
| | - Benny Lyvén
- Department of Materials and Production, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Gothenburg, 413 46, Sweden
| | - John-Sigurd Svendsen
- Amicoat A/S, Oslo Science Park, Oslo, 1386, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, 9019, Norway
| | - Johan Svenson
- Department of Materials and Production, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Gothenburg, 413 46, Sweden
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2
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Hansson A, Karlsen EA, Stensen W, Svendsen JSM, Berglin M, Lundgren A. Preventing E. coli Biofilm Formation with Antimicrobial Peptide-Functionalized Surface Coatings: Recognizing the Dependence on the Bacterial Binding Mode Using Live-Cell Microscopy. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:6799-6812. [PMID: 38294883 PMCID: PMC10875647 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can kill bacteria by destabilizing their membranes, yet translating these molecules' properties into a covalently attached antibacterial coating is challenging. Rational design efforts are obstructed by the fact that standard microbiology methods are ill-designed for the evaluation of coatings, disclosing few details about why grafted AMPs function or do not function. It is particularly difficult to distinguish the influence of the AMP's molecular structure from other factors controlling the total exposure, including which type of bonds are formed between bacteria and the coating and how persistent these contacts are. Here, we combine label-free live-cell microscopy, microfluidics, and automated image analysis to study the response of surface-bound Escherichia coli challenged by the same small AMP either in solution or grafted to the surface through click chemistry. Initially after binding, the grafted AMPs inhibited bacterial growth more efficiently than did AMPs in solution. Yet, after 1 h, E. coli on the coated surfaces increased their expression of type-1 fimbriae, leading to a change in their binding mode, which diminished the coating's impact. The wealth of information obtained from continuously monitoring the growth, shape, and movements of single bacterial cells allowed us to elucidate and quantify the different factors determining the antibacterial efficacy of the grafted AMPs. We expect this approach to aid the design of elaborate antibacterial material coatings working by specific and selective actions, not limited to contact-killing. This technology is needed to support health care and food production in the postantibiotic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hansson
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research
Institutes of Sweden, Borås 50115, Sweden
| | - Eskil André Karlsen
- Amicoat
A/S, Sykehusvegen 23, Tromsø 9019, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - John S. M. Svendsen
- Amicoat
A/S, Sykehusvegen 23, Tromsø 9019, Norway
- Department
of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University
of Norway, Tromsø 9037, Norway
| | - Mattias Berglin
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials, RISE Research
Institutes of Sweden, Borås 50115, Sweden
| | - Anders Lundgren
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
- Centre
for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 41346, Sweden
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3
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Melcrová A, Maity S, Melcr J, de Kok NAW, Gabler M, van der Eyden J, Stensen W, Svendsen JSM, Driessen AJM, Marrink SJ, Roos WH. Lateral membrane organization as target of an antimicrobial peptidomimetic compound. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4038. [PMID: 37419980 PMCID: PMC10328936 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39726-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the leading concerns in medical care. Here we study the mechanism of action of an antimicrobial cationic tripeptide, AMC-109, by combining high speed-atomic force microscopy, molecular dynamics, fluorescence assays, and lipidomic analysis. We show that AMC-109 activity on negatively charged membranes derived from Staphylococcus aureus consists of two crucial steps. First, AMC-109 self-assembles into stable aggregates consisting of a hydrophobic core and a cationic surface, with specificity for negatively charged membranes. Second, upon incorporation into the membrane, individual peptides insert into the outer monolayer, affecting lateral membrane organization and dissolving membrane nanodomains, without forming pores. We propose that membrane domain dissolution triggered by AMC-109 may affect crucial functions such as protein sorting and cell wall synthesis. Our results indicate that the AMC-109 mode of action resembles that of the disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BAK), but with enhanced selectivity for bacterial membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adéla Melcrová
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sourav Maity
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Josef Melcr
- Molecular Dynamics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Niels A W de Kok
- Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Mariella Gabler
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jonne van der Eyden
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - John S M Svendsen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Arnold J M Driessen
- Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Siewert J Marrink
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Molecular Dynamics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Roos
- Molecular Biophysics, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Zhu B, Parsons T, Stensen W, Mjøen Svendsen JS, Fugelli A, Hodge JJL. DYRK1a Inhibitor Mediated Rescue of Drosophila Models of Alzheimer’s Disease-Down Syndrome Phenotypes. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:881385. [PMID: 35928283 PMCID: PMC9345315 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.881385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease which is becoming increasingly prevalent due to ageing populations resulting in huge social, economic, and health costs to the community. Despite the pathological processing of genes such as Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) into Amyloid-β and Microtubule Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) gene, into hyperphosphorylated Tau tangles being known for decades, there remains no treatments to halt disease progression. One population with increased risk of AD are people with Down syndrome (DS), who have a 90% lifetime incidence of AD, due to trisomy of human chromosome 21 (HSA21) resulting in three copies of APP and other AD-associated genes, such as DYRK1A (Dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A) overexpression. This suggests that blocking DYRK1A might have therapeutic potential. However, it is still not clear to what extent DYRK1A overexpression by itself leads to AD-like phenotypes and how these compare to Tau and Amyloid-β mediated pathology. Likewise, it is still not known how effective a DYRK1A antagonist may be at preventing or improving any Tau, Amyloid-β and DYRK1a mediated phenotype. To address these outstanding questions, we characterised Drosophila models with targeted overexpression of human Tau, human Amyloid-β or the fly orthologue of DYRK1A, called minibrain (mnb). We found targeted overexpression of these AD-associated genes caused degeneration of photoreceptor neurons, shortened lifespan, as well as causing loss of locomotor performance, sleep, and memory. Treatment with the experimental DYRK1A inhibitor PST-001 decreased pathological phosphorylation of human Tau [at serine (S) 262]. PST-001 reduced degeneration caused by human Tau, Amyloid-β or mnb lengthening lifespan as well as improving locomotion, sleep and memory loss caused by expression of these AD and DS genes. This demonstrated PST-001 effectiveness as a potential new therapeutic targeting AD and DS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangfu Zhu
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Parsons
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, ShareLab, Forskningsparken i Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - John S. Mjøen Svendsen
- Department of Chemistry, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, ShareLab, Forskningsparken i Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Fugelli
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, ShareLab, Forskningsparken i Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - James J. L. Hodge
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Life Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: James J. L. Hodge,
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Laulund AS, Schwartz FA, Christophersen L, Høiby N, Svendsen JSM, Stensen W, Thomsen K, Cavanagh JP, Moser C. Lactoferricin inspired peptide AMC-109 augments the effect of ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm in chronic murine wounds. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2021; 29:185-193. [PMID: 34954415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2021.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The pathophysiology of chronic wounds is characterized by prolonged inflammation, low mitogenic-activity, high protease-/low inhibitor-activity, microbiota changes and biofilm formation, in combination with the etiology of the original insult. One strategy to promote healing is to terminate the parasitism-like-relationship between the biofilm-growing-pathogen and the host response. The antimicrobial peptide AMC-109 is a potential treatment with low resistance-potential and broad-spectrum coverage with rapid bactericidal effect. Our purpose was to investigate if adjunctive AMC-109 could augment the ciprofloxacin effect in a chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound model. METHODS Third-degree-burns were inflicted on 33BALB/c mice. P.Aeruginosa embedded in seaweed alginate was injected under the eschar to mimic a biofilm. Mice were randomized to receive AMC-109, combined AMC-109 and ciprofloxacin, ciprofloxacin or placebo for 5 days followed by sample collection. RESULTS Lower bacterial load was seen in the double treated group when compared to both monotherapy groups (AMC-109, p=0.008 and ciprofloxacin, p=0.03). To evaluate the innate host response, quantification of cytokines and growth factors were performed. The pro-inflammatory response was dampened in the double-treated mice, compared to the mono-ciprofloxacin-treated group (p=0.0009). A lower mobilization of neutrophils from the bone marrow was indicated by reduced granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor in all treatment groups compared to the placebo group. Improved tissue-remodeling was indicated by the highest level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases and low metalloprotease level in the double-treated group. CONCLUSIONS AMC-109 revealed adjunctive anti-pseudomonas abilities augmenting the antimicrobial effect of ciprofloxacin in this wound model. The study indicates a potential role for AMC-109 in treating chronic wounds with complicating biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Sofie Laulund
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Henrik Harpestrengs Vej 4A, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark, phone +4593999557
| | | | - Lars Christophersen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
| | - Niels Høiby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet and Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), University of Copenhagen
| | - John Sigurd Mjøen Svendsen
- Amicoat AS, Sykehusvegen 26, 9019 Tromsø, Norway and the Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kim Thomsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
| | - Jorunn Pauline Cavanagh
- Amicoat AS, Sykehusvegen 26, 9019 Tromsø, Norway and the Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Claus Moser
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet
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6
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Karlsen EA, Stensen W, Juskewitz E, Svenson J, Berglin M, Svendsen JSM. Anti-Colonization Effect of Au Surfaces with Self-Assembled Molecular Monolayers Functionalized with Antimicrobial Peptides on S. epidermidis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:1516. [PMID: 34943728 PMCID: PMC8698454 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Medical devices with an effective anti-colonization surface are important tools for combatting healthcare-associated infections. Here, we investigated the anti-colonization efficacy of antimicrobial peptides covalently attached to a gold model surface. The gold surface was modified by a self-assembled polyethylene glycol monolayer with an acetylene terminus. The peptides were covalently connected to the surface through a copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] azide-acetylene coupling (CuAAC). The anti-colonization efficacy of the surfaces varied as a function of the antimicrobial activity of the peptides, and very effective surfaces could be prepared with a 6 log unit reduction in bacterial colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eskil André Karlsen
- Amicoat AS, Sykehusvegen 23, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (E.A.K.); (W.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Amicoat AS, Sykehusvegen 23, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (E.A.K.); (W.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eric Juskewitz
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway;
| | - Johan Svenson
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Brinellgatan 4, 504 62 Borås, Sweden; (J.S.); (M.B.)
| | - Mattias Berglin
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Brinellgatan 4, 504 62 Borås, Sweden; (J.S.); (M.B.)
| | - John Sigurd Mjøen Svendsen
- Amicoat AS, Sykehusvegen 23, 9019 Tromsø, Norway; (E.A.K.); (W.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT—The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
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7
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Stensen W, Rothweiler U, Engh RA, Stasko MR, Bederman I, Costa ACS, Fugelli A, Svendsen JSM. Novel DYRK1A Inhibitor Rescues Learning and Memory Deficits in a Mouse Model of Down Syndrome. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111170. [PMID: 34832952 PMCID: PMC8617627 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is a complex genetic disorder associated with substantial physical, cognitive, and behavioral challenges. Due to better treatment options for the physical co-morbidities of DS, the life expectancy of individuals with DS is beginning to approach that of the general population. However, the cognitive deficits seen in individuals with DS still cannot be addressed pharmacologically. In young individuals with DS, the level of intellectual disability varies from mild to severe, but cognitive ability generally decreases with increasing age, and all individuals with DS have early onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology by the age of 40. The present study introduces a novel inhibitor for the protein kinase DYRK1A, a key controlling kinase whose encoding gene is located on chromosome 21. The novel inhibitor is well characterized for use in mouse models and thus represents a valuable tool compound for further DYRK1A research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway; (W.S.); (U.R.); (R.A.E.)
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Ulli Rothweiler
- Department of Chemistry, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway; (W.S.); (U.R.); (R.A.E.)
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Richard Alan Engh
- Department of Chemistry, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway; (W.S.); (U.R.); (R.A.E.)
| | - Melissa R. Stasko
- Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (M.R.S.); (I.B.); (A.C.S.C.)
| | - Ilya Bederman
- Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (M.R.S.); (I.B.); (A.C.S.C.)
| | - Alberto C. S. Costa
- Departments of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (M.R.S.); (I.B.); (A.C.S.C.)
| | - Anders Fugelli
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway;
| | - John S. Mjøen Svendsen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway; (W.S.); (U.R.); (R.A.E.)
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS, Gaustadalleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway;
- Correspondence:
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8
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Håkansson J, Cavanagh JP, Stensen W, Mortensen B, Svendsen JS, Svenson J. In vitro and in vivo antibacterial properties of peptide AMC-109 impregnated wound dressings and gels. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2021; 74:337-345. [PMID: 33495549 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-021-00406-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is a promising class of molecules for a variety of antimicrobial applications. Several hurdles must be passed before effective systemic infection therapies with AMPs can be achieved, but the path to effective topical treatment of skin, nail, and soft tissue infections appears less challenging to navigate. Skin and soft tissue infection is closely coupled to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and represents a major burden to the healthcare system. The present study evaluates the promising synthetic cationic AMP mimic, AMC-109, for treatment of skin infections in vivo. The compound is evaluated both in impregnated cotton wound dressings and in a gel formulation against skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant S. aureus. Both the ability to prevent colonization and formation of an infection, as well as eradicate an ongoing infection in vivo with a high bacterial load, were evaluated. The present work demonstrates that AMC-109 displays a significantly higher antibacterial activity with up to a seven-log reduction in bacterial loads compared to current clinical standard therapy; Altargo cream (1% retapamulin) and Fucidin cream (2% fusidic acid) in the in vivo wound models. It is thus concluded that AMC-109 represents a promising entry in the development of new and effective remedies for various skin infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joakim Håkansson
- Department of Chemistry, Biomaterial & Textile, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Borås, Sweden.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jorunn Pauline Cavanagh
- Amicoat A/S, Sandvika, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - John-Sigurd Svendsen
- Amicoat A/S, Sandvika, Norway.,Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Johan Svenson
- Department of Chemistry, Biomaterial & Textile, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Borås, Sweden. .,Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand.
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9
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Rothweiler U, Stensen W, Brandsdal BO, Isaksson J, Leeson FA, Engh RA, Svendsen JSM. Probing the ATP-Binding Pocket of Protein Kinase DYRK1A with Benzothiazole Fragment Molecules. J Med Chem 2016; 59:9814-9824. [PMID: 27736065 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
DYRK1A has emerged as a potential target for therapies of Alzheimer's disease using small molecules. On the basis of the observation of selective DYRK1A inhibition by firefly d-luciferin, we have explored static and dynamic structural properties of fragment sized variants of the benzothiazole scaffold with respect to DYRK1A using X-ray crystallography and NMR techniques. The compounds have excellent ligand efficiencies and show a remarkable diversity of binding modes in dynamic equilibrium. Binding geometries are determined in part by interactions often considered "weak", including "orthogonal multipolar" types represented by, for example, F-CO, sulfur-aromatic, and halogen-aromatic interactions, together with hydrogen bonds that are modulated by variation of electron withdrawing groups. These studies show how the benzothiazole scaffold is highly promising for the development of therapeutic DYRK1A inhibitors. In addition, the subtleties of the binding interactions, including dynamics, show how full structural studies are required to fully interpret the essential physical determinants of binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulli Rothweiler
- The Norwegian Structural Biology Centre, Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS , Smørblomstvn. 36, N-9102 Kvaløysletta, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS , Smørblomstvn. 36, N-9102 Kvaløysletta, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Bjørn Olav Brandsdal
- The Centre of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Johan Isaksson
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Frederick Alan Leeson
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS , Smørblomstvn. 36, N-9102 Kvaløysletta, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Richard Alan Engh
- The Norwegian Structural Biology Centre, Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - John S Mjøen Svendsen
- Pharmasum Therapeutics AS , Smørblomstvn. 36, N-9102 Kvaløysletta, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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10
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Stensen W, Turner R, Brown M, Kondori N, Svendsen JS, Svenson J. Short Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Display Superior Antifungal Activities toward Candidiasis and Onychomycosis in Comparison with Terbinafine and Amorolfine. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:3595-3600. [PMID: 27576445 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Novel antifungals are in high demand due to the challenges associated with resistant, persistent, and systemic fungal infections. Synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides are emerging as a promising class of compounds for antifungal treatment. In the current study, five synthetic cationic antimicrobial tripeptides were evaluated as antifungal therapeutics against 24 pathogenic strains of fungi. Three of the peptides displayed strong general antifungal properties at low micromolar inhibitory concentrations. The most promising peptide, compound 5, was selected and evaluated as an antifungal remedy for Candida albicans candidiasis in a human skin model and for the treatment of Trichophyton rubrum induced onychomycosis in an infected human nail model. Compound 5 was shown to display antifungal properties and a rapid mode of action superior to those of both the commercial comparators Loceryl and Lamisil. Compound 5 was also active against a clinical isolate of Candida albicans with acquired fluconazole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenche Stensen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsø, Norway.,Lytix Biopharma AS , Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Marc Brown
- MedPharm Ltd , Guildford, U.K.,TDDT, University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, Hertfordshire, U.K
| | - Nahid Kondori
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - John Sigurd Svendsen
- Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsø, Norway.,Lytix Biopharma AS , Tromsø, Norway
| | - Johan Svenson
- Department of Chemistry, Materials and Surfaces, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden , Borås, Sweden
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11
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Haug BE, Camilio KA, Eliassen LT, Stensen W, Svendsen JS, Berg K, Mortensen B, Serin G, Mirjolet JF, Bichat F, Rekdal Ø. Discovery of a 9-mer Cationic Peptide (LTX-315) as a Potential First in Class Oncolytic Peptide. J Med Chem 2016; 59:2918-27. [PMID: 26982623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b02025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic immunotherapies represent a new promising strategy in the treatment of cancer. In our efforts to develop oncolytic peptides, we identified a series of chemically modified 9-mer cationic peptides that were highly effective against both drug-resistant and drug-sensitive cancer cells and with lower toxicity toward normal cells. Among these peptides, LTX-315 displayed superior anticancer activity and was selected as a lead candidate. This peptide showed relative high plasma protein binding abilities and a human plasma half-life of 160 min, resulting in formation of nontoxic metabolites. In addition, the lead candidate demonstrated relatively low ability to inhibit CYP450 enzymes. Collectively these data indicated that this peptide has potential to be developed as a new anticancer agent for intratumoral administration and is currently being evaluated in a phase I/IIa study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengt Erik Haug
- Lytix Biopharma AS , Sykehusveien 21, NO-9294 Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Chemistry and Centre for Pharmacy, University of Bergen , Allégaten 41, NO-5007 Bergen, Norway
| | - Ketil André Camilio
- Lytix Biopharma AS , Sykehusveien 21, NO-9294 Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Wenche Stensen
- Lytix Biopharma AS , Sykehusveien 21, NO-9294 Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - John Sigurd Svendsen
- Lytix Biopharma AS , Sykehusveien 21, NO-9294 Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristel Berg
- Lytix Biopharma AS , Sykehusveien 21, NO-9294 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | | | | | | | - Øystein Rekdal
- Lytix Biopharma AS , Sykehusveien 21, NO-9294 Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway , NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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12
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Rothweiler U, Eriksson J, Stensen W, Leeson F, Engh RA, Svendsen JS. Luciferin and derivatives as a DYRK selective scaffold for the design of protein kinase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 94:140-8. [PMID: 25768698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
D-Luciferin is widely used as a substrate in luciferase catalysed bioluminescence assays for in vitro studies. However, little is known about cross reactivity and potential interference of D-luciferin with other enzymes. We serendipitously found that firefly luciferin inhibited the CDK2/Cyclin A protein kinase. Inhibition profiling of D-luciferin over a 103-protein kinase panel showed significant inhibition of a small set of protein kinases, in particular the DYRK-family, but also other members of the CMGC-group, including ERK8 and CK2. Inhibition profiling on a 16-member focused library derived from D-luciferin confirms that D-luciferin represents a DYRK-selective chemotype of fragment-like molecular weight. Thus, observation of its inhibitory activity and the initial SAR information reported here promise to be useful for further design of protein kinase inhibitors with related scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulli Rothweiler
- The Norwegian Structural Biology Centre, Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jonas Eriksson
- Lytix Biopharma AS, P.O. Box 6447, Tromsø Science Park, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Lytix Biopharma AS, P.O. Box 6447, Tromsø Science Park, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Frederick Leeson
- Lytix Biopharma AS, P.O. Box 6447, Tromsø Science Park, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Richard A Engh
- The Norwegian Structural Biology Centre, Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - John S Svendsen
- Lytix Biopharma AS, P.O. Box 6447, Tromsø Science Park, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Chemistry, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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13
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Trepos R, Cervin G, Hellio C, Pavia H, Stensen W, Stensvåg K, Svendsen JS, Haug T, Svenson J. Antifouling compounds from the sub-arctic ascidian Synoicum pulmonaria: synoxazolidinones A and C, pulmonarins A and B, and synthetic analogues. J Nat Prod 2014; 77:2105-2113. [PMID: 25181423 DOI: 10.1021/np5005032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The current study describes the antifouling properties of four members belonging to the recently discovered synoxazolidinone and pulmonarin families, isolated from the sub-Arctic sessile ascidian Synoicum pulmonaria collected off the Norwegian coast. Four simplified synthetic analogues were also prepared and included in the study. Several of the studied compounds displayed MIC values in the micro-nanomolar range against 16 relevant marine species involved in both the micro- and macrofouling process. Settlement studies on Balanus improvisus cyprids indicated a deterrent effect and a low toxicity for selected compounds. The two synoxazolidinones displayed broad activity and are shown to be among the most active natural antifouling bromotyrosine derivatives described. Synoxazolidinone C displayed selected antifouling properties comparable to the commercial antifouling product Sea-Nine-211. The pulmonarins prevented the growth of several bacterial strains at nanomolar concentrations but displayed a lower activity toward microalgae and no effect on barnacles. The linear and cyclic synthetic peptidic mimics also displayed potent antifouling activities mainly directed against bacterial adhesion and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozenn Trepos
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth , Portsmouth PO1 2DY, U.K
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14
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Li X, Hopmann KH, Hudecová J, Isaksson J, Novotná J, Stensen W, Andrushchenko V, Urbanová M, Svendsen JS, Bouř P, Ruud K. Determination of absolute configuration and conformation of a cyclic dipeptide by NMR and chiral spectroscopic methods. J Phys Chem A 2013; 117:1721-36. [PMID: 23347158 DOI: 10.1021/jp311151h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Increasing precision of contemporary computational methods makes spectroscopies such as vibrational (VCD) and electronic (ECD) circular dichroism attractive for determination of absolute configurations (AC) of organic compounds. This is, however, difficult for polar, flexible molecules with multiple chiral centers. Typically, a combination of several methods provides the best picture of molecular behavior. As a test case, all possible stereoisomers with known AC (RS, SR, SS, and RR) of the cyclic dipeptide cyclo(Arg-Trp) (CAT) were synthesized, and the performances of the ECD, infrared (IR), VCD, Raman, Raman optical activity (ROA), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for AC determination were investigated. The spectra were interpreted with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Folded geometries stabilized by van der Waals and electrostatic interactions between the diketopiperazine (DKP) ring and the indole group are predicted to be preferred for CAT, with more pronounced folding due to Arg-Trp stacking in the case of SS/RR-CAT. The RS/SR isomers prefer a twist-boat puckering of the DKP ring, which is relatively independent of the orientation of the side chains. Calculated conformer-averaged VCD and ECD spectra explain most of the experimentally observed bands and allow for AC determination of the tryptophan side-chain, whereas the stereochemical configuration of the arginine side-chain is visible only in VCD. NMR studies provide characteristic long-range (2)J(C,H) and (3)J(C,H) coupling constants, and nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) correlations, which in combination with either ECD or VCD also allow for complete AC determination of CAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Li
- Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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15
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Li X, Hopmann KH, Hudecová J, Stensen W, Novotná J, Urbanová M, Svendsen JS, Bouř P, Ruud K. Absolute Configuration of a Cyclic Dipeptide Reflected in Vibrational Optical Activity: Ab Initio and Experimental Investigation. J Phys Chem A 2012; 116:2554-63. [DOI: 10.1021/jp211454v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Li
- Centre for
Theoretical and Computational
Chemistry (CTCC), Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Jana Hudecová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences,
166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Wenche Stensen
- Lytix Biopharma AS, Tromsø Research
Park, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jana Novotná
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech
Republic
| | - Marie Urbanová
- Department of
Physics and Measurements, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, 166 28 Prague, Czech
Republic
| | | | - Petr Bouř
- Institute of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences,
166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kenneth Ruud
- Centre for
Theoretical and Computational
Chemistry (CTCC), Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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16
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Hopmann KH, Šebestík J, Novotná J, Stensen W, Urbanová M, Svenson J, Svendsen JS, Bouř P, Ruud K. Determining the Absolute Configuration of Two Marine Compounds Using Vibrational Chiroptical Spectroscopy. J Org Chem 2012; 77:858-69. [DOI: 10.1021/jo201598x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaroslav Šebestík
- Institute of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166
10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Wenche Stensen
- Lytix Biopharma AS, Tromsø Research
Park, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Petr Bouř
- Institute of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166
10 Prague, Czech Republic
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17
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Isaksson J, Brandsdal BO, Engqvist M, Flaten GE, Svendsen JSM, Stensen W. A synthetic antimicrobial peptidomimetic (LTX 109): stereochemical impact on membrane disruption. J Med Chem 2011; 54:5786-95. [PMID: 21732630 DOI: 10.1021/jm200450h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
LTX 109 is a synthetic antimicrobial peptidomimetic (SAMP) currently in clinical phase II trials for topical treatment of infections of multiresistant bacterial strains. All possible eight stereoisomers of the peptidomimetic have been synthesized and tested for antimicrobial effect, hemolysis, and hydrophobicity, revealing a strong and unusual dependence on the stereochemistry for a molecule proposed to act on a general membrane mechanism. The three-dimensional structures were assessed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in aqueous solution and in phospholipid bilayers. The solution structures of the most active stereoisomers are perfectly preorganized for insertion into the membrane, whereas the less active isomers need to pay an energy penalty in order to enter the lipid bilayer. This effect is also found to be reinforced by a significantly improved water solubility of the less active isomers due to a guanidyl-π stacking that helps to solvate the hydrophobic surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Isaksson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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18
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Flaten GE, Kottra G, Stensen W, Isaksen G, Karstad R, Svendsen JS, Daniel H, Svenson J. In Vitro Characterization of Human Peptide Transporter hPEPT1 Interactions and Passive Permeation Studies of Short Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides. J Med Chem 2011; 54:2422-32. [DOI: 10.1021/jm1015704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gøril Eide Flaten
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gabor Kottra
- Molecular Nutrition Unit, Technical University of Munich, D-85350 Freising, Germany
| | | | - Geir Isaksen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
- The Norwegian Structural Biology Centre and The Centre for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Rasmus Karstad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - John S. Svendsen
- Lytix Biopharma AS, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Hannelore Daniel
- Molecular Nutrition Unit, Technical University of Munich, D-85350 Freising, Germany
| | - Johan Svenson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037, Tromsø, Norway
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19
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Flemming K, Klingenberg C, Cavanagh JP, Sletteng M, Stensen W, Svendsen JS, Flaegstad T. High in vitro antimicrobial activity of synthetic antimicrobial peptidomimetics against staphylococcal biofilms. J Antimicrob Chemother 2008; 63:136-45. [PMID: 19010828 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkn464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of different antibiotics and synthetic antimicrobial peptidomimetics (SAMPs) on staphylococcal biofilms. METHODS Biofilms of six staphylococcal strains (two Staphylococcus haemolyticus, two Staphylococcus epidermidis and two Staphylococcus aureus isolates) were grown for 24 h in microtitre plates. They were washed and treated for 24 h with different concentrations of linezolid, tetracycline, rifampicin and vancomycin and four different SAMPs. After treatment, the redox indicator Alamar Blue was used to quantify metabolic activity of bacteria in biofilms, and confocal laser scanning microscopy with LIVE/DEAD staining was used to further elucidate any effects. RESULTS At MIC levels, rifampicin and tetracycline showed a marked reduction of metabolic activity in the S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus biofilm. Linezolid had a moderate effect and vancomycin had a poor effect. MIC x10 and MIC x100 improved the antimicrobial activity of all antibiotics, especially vancomycin. However, metabolic activity was not completely suppressed in strong biofilm-producing strains. At MIC x10, the three most effective SAMPs (Ltx5, Ltx9 and Ltx10) were able to completely eliminate metabolic activity in the S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus biofilms, which was also confirmed by complete cell death using confocal laser scanning microscopy investigations. Although none of the Ltx SAMPs could fully suppress metabolic activity in the S. aureus biofilm, their effect was superior to all tested antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS SAMPs had superior antimicrobial activity in staphylococcal biofilms compared with conventional antibiotics and are potential new therapeutic agents for biofilm-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Flemming
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of North-Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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20
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Abstract
A series of synthetic antimicrobial peptidomimetics (SAMPs) have been prepared and found to be highly active against several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. These derivatives comprise the minimal structural requirements for cationic antimicrobial peptides and showed high selectivity for Gram-negative and/or Gram-positive bacteria compared to human red blood cells. We have found that SAMPs share many of the attractive properties of cationic antimicrobial peptides inasmuch that a representative SAMP was found to insert into the bilayers of large unilamellar vesicles, permeabilized both the outer and cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli ML-35p, and displayed an extremely rapid bacterial killing for Staphylococcus aureus. However, while antimicrobial peptides are prone to proteolytic degradation, high in vitro stability in human blood plasma was shown for SAMPs. A combination of high antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococci and low toxicity against human erythrocytes makes these molecules promising candidates for novel antibacterial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengt Erik Haug
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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21
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Svenson J, Stensen W, Brandsdal BO, Haug BE, Monrad J, Svendsen JS. Antimicrobial peptides with stability toward tryptic degradation. Biochemistry 2008; 47:3777-88. [PMID: 18307313 DOI: 10.1021/bi7019904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The inherent instability of peptides toward metabolic degradation is an obstacle on the way toward bringing potential peptide drugs onto the market. Truncation can be one way to increase the proteolytic stability of peptides, and in the present study the susceptibility against trypsin, which is one of the major proteolytic enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract, was investigated for several short and diverse libraries of promising cationic antimicrobial tripeptides. Quite surprisingly, trypsin was able to cleave very small cationic antimicrobial peptides at a substantial rate. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies revealed stoichiometric interactions between selected peptides and trypsin, with dissociation constants ranging from 1 to 20 microM. Introduction of hydrophobic C-terminal amide modifications and likewise bulky synthetic side chains on the central amino acid offered an effective way to increased half-life in our assays. Analysis of the degradation products revealed that the location of cleavage changed when different end-capping strategies were employed to increase the stability and the antimicrobial potency. This suggests that trypsin prefers a bulky hydrophobic element in S1' in addition to a positively charged side chain in S1 and that this binding dictates the mode of cleavage for these substrates. Molecular modeling studies supported this hypothesis, and it is shown that small alterations of the tripeptide result in two very different modes of trypsin binding and degradation. The data presented allows for the design of stable cationic antibacterial peptides and/or peptidomimetics based on several novel design principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Svenson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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22
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Svenson J, Brandsdal BO, Stensen W, Svendsen JS. Albumin binding of short cationic antimicrobial micropeptides and its influence on the in vitro bactericidal effect. J Med Chem 2007; 50:3334-9. [PMID: 17569519 DOI: 10.1021/jm0703542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The interactions between a range of small cationic antibacterial tripeptides and bovine and human serum albumin in a buffered aqueous solution at 25 degrees C have been studied using isothermal titration calorimetry. Results from the binding study indicate a single binding site on albumin with a dissociation constant between 4.3 and 22.2 microM for the different peptides. In a theoretical mouse model, a dissociation constant in this range corresponds to 95% albumin binding. The effect of this albumin interaction on the antibacterial capacity of the peptides against Staphylococcus aureus, strain ATCC 25923 was studied by including albumin in the assays at a 0.55 mM concentration. Presence of albumin induced a 10-fold increase of the minimal inhibitory concentration for the bulk of the peptides. Albumin itself has no effect on the bacterial growth and this increase is entirely ascribed to a strong competing protein binding. Collectively these results indicate that these antibacterial peptides do bind to albumin and that this binding strongly reduces the effective concentration of peptides available to combat bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Svenson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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23
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Haug BE, Stensen W, Svendsen JS. Application of the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling to increase antimicrobial potency generates promising novel antibacterials. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2007; 17:2361-4. [PMID: 17350833 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2006.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2006] [Revised: 12/11/2006] [Accepted: 12/11/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides have been recognized as a novel class of antibiotics, and several candidates are currently in clinical trials. In this work, a tripeptide derivative containing 4-iodo phenylalanine has been derivatized through the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. This has enabled the rapid and efficient synthesis of an array of tripeptide derivatives encompassing novel biaryl moieties. The peptide derivatives show high activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengt Erik Haug
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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24
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Fischer R, Frimodt-Møller N, Stensen W, Svendsen J. P2072 Bactericidal effect of Ltx peptides against Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in murine skin infection model. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-8579(07)71911-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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25
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Haug BE, Stensen W, Stiberg T, Svendsen JS. Bulky nonproteinogenic amino acids permit the design of very small and effective cationic antibacterial peptides. J Med Chem 2004; 47:4159-62. [PMID: 15293987 DOI: 10.1021/jm049582b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The rate of multidrug-resistant infections is rapidly rising. Cationic antibacterial peptides are active against resistant pathogens and have low propensity for resistance development, but because of their unfavorable medicinal properties, cationic antibacterial peptides have been a limited clinical success. We have found that introduction of nongenetically coded amino acids and other lipophilic modifications opens the opportunity for development of extremely short and highly active antibacterial peptides with improved medicinal properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengt Erik Haug
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway, and Lytix Biopharma AS, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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26
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Abstract
Cationic antibacterial peptides have been proclaimed as new drugs against multiresistant bacteria. Their limited success so far is partially due to the size of the peptides, which gives rise to unresolved issues regarding administration, bioavailability, metabolic stability, and immunogenicity. We have systematically investigated the minimum antibacterial motif of cationic antibacterial peptides regarding charge and lipophilicity/bulk and found that the pharmacophore was surprisingly small, opening the opportunity for development of short antibacterial peptides for systemic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten B Strøm
- Department of Chemistry, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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27
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Strøm MB, Haug BE, Rekdal O, Skar ML, Stensen W, Svendsen JS. Important structural features of 15-residue lactoferricin derivatives and methods for improvement of antimicrobial activity. Biochem Cell Biol 2002; 80:65-74. [PMID: 11908644 DOI: 10.1139/o01-236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on important structural features affecting the antimicrobial activity of 15-residue derivatives of lactoferricins. Our investigations are based on an alanine-scan of a 15-residue bovine lactoferricin derivative that revealed the absolute necessity of two tryptophan residues for antimicrobial activity. This "tryptophan-effect" was further explored in homologous derivatives of human, caprine, and porcine lactoferricins by the incorporation of one additional tryptophan residue, and by increasing the content of tryptophan in the bovine derivative to five residues. Most of the resulting peptides display a substantial increase in antimicrobial activity. To identify which molecular properties make tryptophan so effective, a series of bovine lactoferricin derivatives were prepared containing non-encoded unnatural aromatic amino acids, which represented various aspects of the physicochemical nature of tryptophan. The results clearly demonstrate that tryptophan is not unique since most of the modified peptides were of higher antimicrobial potency than the native peptide. The size and three-dimensional shape of the inserted "super-tryptophans" are the most important determinants for the high antimicrobial activity of the modified peptides. This review also describes the use of a "soft-modeling" approach in order to identify important structural parameters affecting the antimicrobial activity of modified 15-residue murine lactoferricin derivatives. This QSAR-study revealed that the net charge, charge asymmetry, and micelle affinity of the peptides were the most important structural parameters affecting their antimicrobial activity.
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Abstract
A number of peptide analogs derived from the N-terminal alpha-helical region of bovine lactoferrin (LFB 14-31), were designed in order to investigate how deviating numbers and positions of positively charged residues and numbers of aromatic residues affected their activity against prokaryotic, normal and transformed eukaryotic cells. Most of the LFB derivatives were highly active against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The peptides were more active against the tumor cell lines MethA, HT-29 and MT-1 than normal eukaryotic cells. The peptides that were most active against the tumor cell lines had all cationic residues concentrated in one sector of the helical structure. These peptides were less selective against the tumor cell lines than against normal fibroblasts. Quantitative structure-activity relationship studies showed that certain structural parameters affected toxicity against the tumor cell lines more than against fibroblasts. Peptides encompassing these parameters were slightly less active against tumor cells, but gained significant selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Yang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway
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Abstract
LFM W8 is a synthetic 15-residue lactoferricin derivative (H2N-EKCLRWQWEMRKVGG-COOH), corresponding to residues 16-30 of the mature murine lactoferrin protein except that the asparagine residue in position 8 of the native peptide is replaced with tryptophan. We have previously reported that the two tryptophan residues in positions 6 and 8 are of crucial importance for the antibacterial activity of many lactoferricin derivatives but, despite fulfilling this requirement, LFM W8 is inactive against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In order to solve this puzzle, a quantitative structure-antibacterial activity relationship study of synthetic LFM W8 derivatives was performed by replacing the glutamate residues in positions 1 and 9 with arginine or alanine, and the valine residue in position 13 with tyrosine. The results from the study were analyzed using multivariate data analysis. The derived mathematical model clustered the peptides into distinct groups which reflected their antibacterial activities, pointed out correlations between different structural parameters, highlighted the structural parameters that were important for antibacterial activity, and enabled us to predict the activity of a 15-residue bovine lactoferricin derivative. The results showed that net charge and micelle affinity, as determined from the ratio of alpha-helicity in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles and in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol, were the most important structural parameters affecting antibacterial activity. The most active derivative, LFM R1,9 W8 Y13, displayed a minimal inhibitory concentration of 10 and 12 microM against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. This represented more than 50-fold and 40-fold increases in antibacterial activity, respectively, compared with LFM W8.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Strøm
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tromsø, Norway
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Stensen W, Svendsen JS, Hofer O, Sydnes LK, Hacksell U, Berg JE, Bartók M, Pelczer I, Dombi G. Photochemical [2+2] Cycloadditions. III. Addition of 4-Substituted 2-Cyclopentenones to Allene; Configuration Determination by Lanthanide-Induced Shift Studies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1988. [DOI: 10.3891/acta.chem.scand.42b-0259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Sydnes LK, Stensen W, Anthonsen T, Pettersson T, Kivekäs R. Regioselective Photocycloaddition of 2-Cyclopentenone to Some Allenes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1986. [DOI: 10.3891/acta.chem.scand.40b-0657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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