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Tajer L, Paillart JC, Dib H, Sabatier JM, Fajloun Z, Abi Khattar Z. Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Peptides in the Modern Era: An Updated Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1259. [PMID: 39065030 PMCID: PMC11279074 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071259] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious global health concern, resulting in a significant number of deaths annually due to infections that are resistant to treatment. Amidst this crisis, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics (ATBs). These cationic peptides, naturally produced by all kingdoms of life, play a crucial role in the innate immune system of multicellular organisms and in bacterial interspecies competition by exhibiting broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. AMPs target bacterial pathogens through multiple mechanisms, most importantly by disrupting their membranes, leading to cell lysis. However, bacterial resistance to host AMPs has emerged due to a slow co-evolutionary process between microorganisms and their hosts. Alarmingly, the development of resistance to last-resort AMPs in the treatment of MDR infections, such as colistin, is attributed to the misuse of this peptide and the high rate of horizontal genetic transfer of the corresponding resistance genes. AMP-resistant bacteria employ diverse mechanisms, including but not limited to proteolytic degradation, extracellular trapping and inactivation, active efflux, as well as complex modifications in bacterial cell wall and membrane structures. This review comprehensively examines all constitutive and inducible molecular resistance mechanisms to AMPs supported by experimental evidence described to date in bacterial pathogens. We also explore the specificity of these mechanisms toward structurally diverse AMPs to broaden and enhance their potential in developing and applying them as therapeutics for MDR bacteria. Additionally, we provide insights into the significance of AMP resistance within the context of host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Tajer
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, Department of Cell Culture, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon; (L.T.); (Z.F.)
| | - Jean-Christophe Paillart
- CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, Université de Strasbourg, 2 Allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67000 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Hanna Dib
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Egaila 54200, Kuwait;
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- CNRS, INP, Inst Neurophysiopathol, Aix-Marseille Université, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Ziad Fajloun
- Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology (LBA3B), Azm Center for Research in Biotechnology and Its Applications, Department of Cell Culture, EDST, Lebanese University, Tripoli 1300, Lebanon; (L.T.); (Z.F.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences 3, Lebanese University, Campus Michel Slayman Ras Maska, Tripoli 1352, Lebanon
| | - Ziad Abi Khattar
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat, P.O. Box 100, Tripoli, Lebanon
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Cafaro V, Bosso A, Di Nardo I, D’Amato A, Izzo I, De Riccardis F, Siepi M, Culurciello R, D’Urzo N, Chiarot E, Torre A, Pizzo E, Merola M, Notomista E. The Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of P13#1, a Cathelicidin-like Achiral Peptoid. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1386. [PMID: 37895857 PMCID: PMC10610514 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101386] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are powerful molecules with antimicrobial, antibiofilm and endotoxin-scavenging activities. These properties make CAMPs very attractive drugs in the face of the rapid increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, but they are limited by their susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. An intriguing solution to this issue could be the development of functional mimics of CAMPs with structures that enable the evasion of proteases. Peptoids (N-substituted glycine oligomers) are an important class of peptidomimetics with interesting benefits: easy synthetic access, intrinsic proteolytic stability and promising bioactivities. Here, we report the characterization of P13#1, a 13-residue peptoid specifically designed to mimic cathelicidins, the best-known and most widespread family of CAMPs. P13#1 showed all the biological activities typically associated with cathelicidins: bactericidal activity over a wide spectrum of strains, including several ESKAPE pathogens; the ability to act in combination with different classes of conventional antibiotics; antibiofilm activity against preformed biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, comparable to that of human cathelicidin LL-37; limited toxicity; and an ability to inhibit LPS-induced proinflammatory effects which is comparable to that of "the last resource" antibiotic colistin. We further studied the interaction of P13#1 with SDS, LPSs and bacterial cells by using a fluorescent version of P13#1. Finally, in a subcutaneous infection mouse model, it showed antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities comparable to ampicillin and gentamicin without apparent toxicity. The collected data indicate that P13#1 is an excellent candidate for the formulation of new antimicrobial therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Cafaro
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Andrea Bosso
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Ilaria Di Nardo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Assunta D’Amato
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.D.); (I.I.); (F.D.R.)
| | - Irene Izzo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.D.); (I.I.); (F.D.R.)
| | - Francesco De Riccardis
- Department of Chemistry and Biology “A. Zambelli”, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.D.); (I.I.); (F.D.R.)
| | - Marialuisa Siepi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Rosanna Culurciello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Nunzia D’Urzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | | | | | - Elio Pizzo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Marcello Merola
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
| | - Eugenio Notomista
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (A.B.); (I.D.N.); (M.S.); (R.C.); (N.D.); (E.P.)
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Ahmad N, Ali S, Abbas M, Fazal H, Saqib S, Ali A, Ullah Z, Zaman S, Sawati L, Zada A, Sohail. Antimicrobial efficacy of Mentha piperata-derived biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles against UTI-resistant pathogens. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14972. [PMID: 37696980 PMCID: PMC10495404 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41502-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Misuse of antibiotics leads to the worldwide spread of antibiotic resistance, which motivates scientists to create new antibiotics. The recurring UTI due to antibiotics-resistant microorganism's challenges scientists globally. The biogenic nanoparticles have the potential to meet the escalating requirements of novel antimicrobial agents. The green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) gained more attention due to their reliable applications against resistant microbes. The current study evaluates the biogenic ZnO NPs of Mentha piperata extract against resistant pathogens of urinary tract infections by agar well diffusion assay. The biogenic ZnO NPs revealed comparatively maximum inhibition in comparison to synthetic antibiotics against two bacterial strains (Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans).The synthesized biogenic ZnO NPs alone revealed maximum activities than the combination of plant extract (PE) and ZnO NPs, and PE alone. The physiochemical features of ZnO NPs characterized through UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX. The UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed 281.85 nm wavelengths; the XRD pattern revealed the crystalline structure of ZnO NPs. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of carboxylic and nitro groups, which could be attributed to plant extract. SEM analysis revealed spherical hollow symmetry due to electrostatic forces. The analysis via EDX confirmed the presence of Zn and oxygen in the sample. The physiochemical features of synthesized ZnO NPs provide pivotal information such as quality and effectiveness. The current study revealed excellent dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic isolates from UTI-resistant patients. The higher concentration of ZnONPs interacts with the cell membrane which triggers oxidative burst. They may bind with the enzymes and proteins and brings epigenetic alteration which leads to membrane disruption or cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisar Ahmad
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, 19200, Pakistan
| | - Shujat Ali
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, 19200, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Abbas
- Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, 19200, Pakistan
| | - Hina Fazal
- Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Saddam Saqib
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ahmad Ali
- Centre of Plant Science and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh, Swat, 19200, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Ullah
- Centre of Plant Science and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh, Swat, 19200, Pakistan
| | - Shah Zaman
- Department of Botany, University of Malakand, Chakdara, 18800, KPK, Pakistan.
| | - Laraib Sawati
- Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, 25124, Pakistan
| | - Ahmad Zada
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Sohail
- Institute of Biology/Plant Physiology, Humboldt-University Zü Berlin, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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Ghimire J, Hart RJ, Soldano A, Chen CH, Guha S, Hoffmann JP, Hall KM, Sun L, Nelson BJ, Lu TK, Kolls JK, Rivera M, Morici LA, Wimley WC. Optimization of Host Cell-Compatible, Antimicrobial Peptides Effective against Biofilms and Clinical Isolates of Drug-Resistant Bacteria. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:952-965. [PMID: 36961222 PMCID: PMC10111420 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Here, we describe the continued synthetic molecular evolution of a lineage of host-compatible antimicrobial peptides (AMP) intended for the treatment of wounds infected with drug-resistant, biofilm-forming bacteria. The peptides tested are variants of an evolved AMP called d-amino acid CONsensus with Glycine Absent (d-CONGA), which has excellent antimicrobial activities in vitro and in vivo. In this newest generation of rational d-CONGA variants, we tested multiple sequence-structure-function hypotheses that had not been tested in previous generations. Many of the peptide variants have lower antibacterial activity against Gram-positive or Gram-negative pathogens, especially variants that have altered hydrophobicity, secondary structure potential, or spatial distribution of charged and hydrophobic residues. Thus, d-CONGA is generally well tuned for antimicrobial activity. However, we identified a variant, d-CONGA-Q7, with a polar glutamine inserted into the middle of the sequence, that has higher activity against both planktonic and biofilm-forming bacteria as well as lower cytotoxicity against human fibroblasts. Against clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, innate resistance to d-CONGA was surprisingly common despite a lack of inducible resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa reported previously. Yet, these same isolates were susceptible to d-CONGA-Q7. d-CONGA-Q7 is much less vulnerable to AMP resistance in Gram-negative bacteria than its predecessor. Consistent with the spirit of synthetic molecular evolution, d-CONGA-Q7 achieved a critical gain-of-function and has a significantly better activity profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenisha Ghimire
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane
University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Robert J. Hart
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University
School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Anabel Soldano
- Department
of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| | - Charles H. Chen
- Synthetic
Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Shantanu Guha
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane
University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Joseph P. Hoffmann
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University
School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Kalen M. Hall
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University
School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Leisheng Sun
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane
University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Nelson
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane
University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Timothy K. Lu
- Synthetic
Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jay K. Kolls
- Department
of Medicine, Tulane University School of
Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Mario Rivera
- Department
of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| | - Lisa A. Morici
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University
School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - William C. Wimley
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane
University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
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Talapko J, Meštrović T, Juzbašić M, Tomas M, Erić S, Horvat Aleksijević L, Bekić S, Schwarz D, Matić S, Neuberg M, Škrlec I. Antimicrobial Peptides-Mechanisms of Action, Antimicrobial Effects and Clinical Applications. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11101417. [PMID: 36290075 PMCID: PMC9598582 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing emergence of antimicrobial resistance represents a global problem that not only influences healthcare systems but also has grave implications for political and economic processes. As the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents is lagging, one of the solutions is innovative therapeutic options that would expand our armamentarium against this hazard. Compounds of interest in many such studies are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which actually represent the host's first line of defense against pathogens and are involved in innate immunity. They have a broad range of antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and viruses, with specific mechanisms of action utilized by different AMPs. Coupled with a lower propensity for resistance development, it is becoming clear that AMPs can be seen as emerging and very promising candidates for more pervasive usage in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, their use in quotidian clinical practice is not without challenges. In this review, we aimed to summarize state-of-the-art evidence on the structure and mechanisms of action of AMPs, as well as to provide detailed information on their antimicrobial activity. We also aimed to present contemporary evidence of clinical trials and application of AMPs and highlight their use beyond infectious diseases and potential challenges that may arise with their increasing availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasminka Talapko
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Correspondence: (J.T.); (I.Š.)
| | - Tomislav Meštrović
- University Centre Varaždin, University North, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Martina Juzbašić
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Matej Tomas
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Suzana Erić
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Lorena Horvat Aleksijević
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Sanja Bekić
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Family Medicine Practice, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dragan Schwarz
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Suzana Matić
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marijana Neuberg
- University Centre Varaždin, University North, 42000 Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Ivana Škrlec
- Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
- Correspondence: (J.T.); (I.Š.)
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