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Loffredo MR, Cappiello F, Cappella G, Capuozzo E, Torrini L, Diaco F, Di YP, Mangoni ML, Casciaro B. The pH-Insensitive Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of the Frog Skin Derived Peptide Esc(1-21): Promising Features for Novel Anti-Infective Drugs. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:701. [PMID: 39200001 PMCID: PMC11350779 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13080701] [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: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of antibiotic-resistant microbial infections is dramatically increasing, while the discovery of new antibiotics is significantly declining. Furthermore, the activity of antibiotics is negatively influenced by the ability of bacteria to form sessile communities, called biofilms, and by the microenvironment of the infection, characterized by an acidic pH, especially in the lungs of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Antimicrobial peptides represent interesting alternatives to conventional antibiotics, and with expanding properties. Here, we explored the effects of an acidic pH on the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of the AMP Esc(1-21) and we found that it slightly lost activity (from 2- to 4-fold) against the planktonic form of a panel of Gram-negative bacteria, with respect to a ≥ 32-fold of traditional antibiotics. Furthermore, it retained its activity against the sessile form of these bacteria grown in media with a neutral pH, and showed similar or higher effectiveness against the biofilm form of bacteria grown in acidic media, simulating a CF-like acidic microenvironment, compared to physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (E.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (E.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Giacomo Cappella
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (E.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Capuozzo
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (E.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Luisa Torrini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.T.); (F.D.)
| | - Fabiana Diaco
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.T.); (F.D.)
| | - Yuanpu Peter Di
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (E.C.); (B.C.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (F.C.); (G.C.); (E.C.); (B.C.)
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2
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Loffredo M, Casciaro B, Bellavita R, Troiano C, Brancaccio D, Cappiello F, Merlino F, Galdiero S, Fabrizi G, Grieco P, Stella L, Carotenuto A, Mangoni ML. Strategic Single-Residue Substitution in the Antimicrobial Peptide Esc(1-21) Confers Activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Including Drug-Resistant and Biofilm Phenotype. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2403-2418. [PMID: 38848266 PMCID: PMC11250030 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00130] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium resistant to multiple drugs, is a significant cause of illness and death worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide an excellent potential strategy to cope with this threat. Recently, we characterized a derivative of the frog-skin AMP esculentin-1a, Esc(1-21) (1) that is endowed with potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria but poor efficacy against Gram-positive strains. In this study, three analogues of peptide 1 were designed by replacing Gly8 with α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), Pro, and dPro (2-4, respectively). The single substitution Gly8 → Aib8 in peptide 2 makes it active against the planktonic form of Gram-positive bacterial strains, especially Staphylococcus aureus, including multidrug-resistant clinical isolates, with an improved biostability without resulting in cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Moreover, peptide 2 showed a higher antibiofilm activity than peptide 1 against both reference and clinical isolates of S. aureus. Peptide 2 was also able to induce rapid bacterial killing, suggesting a membrane-perturbing mechanism of action. Structural analysis of the most active peptide 2 evidenced that the improved biological activity of peptide 2 is the consequence of a combination of higher biostability, higher α helical content, and ability to reduce membrane fluidity and to adopt a distorted helix, bent in correspondence of Aib8. Overall, this study has shown how a strategic single amino acid substitution is sufficient to enlarge the spectrum of activity of the original peptide 1, and improve its biological properties for therapeutic purposes, thus paving the way to optimize AMPs for the development of new broad-spectrum anti-infective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria
Rosa Loffredo
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Bellavita
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Cassandra Troiano
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Brancaccio
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Merlino
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Galdiero
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Fabrizi
- Department
of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, “Department of Excellence
2018−2022”, Sapienza University
of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stella
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alfonso Carotenuto
- Department
of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico
II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Department
of Biochemical Sciences, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur
Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza
University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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3
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Mangoni ML, Loffredo MR, Casciaro B, Ferrera L, Cappiello F. An Overview of Frog Skin-Derived Esc Peptides: Promising Multifunctional Weapons against Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Pulmonary and Ocular Surface Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4400. [PMID: 38673985 PMCID: PMC11049899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084400] [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: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a silent pandemic harming human health, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common bacterium responsible for chronic pulmonary and eye infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics. In this review, the in vitro/in vivo activities of the frog skin-derived AMP Esc(1-21) are shown. Esc(1-21) rapidly kills both the planktonic and sessile forms of P. aeruginosa and stimulates migration of epithelial cells, likely favoring repair of damaged tissue. However, to undertake preclinical studies, some drawbacks of AMPs (cytotoxicity, poor biostability, and limited delivery to the target site) must be overcome. For this purpose, the stereochemistry of two amino acids of Esc(1-21) was changed to obtain the diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c, which is more stable, less cytotoxic, and more efficient in treating P. aeruginosa-induced lung and cornea infections in mouse models. Incorporation of these peptides (Esc peptides) into nanoparticles or immobilization to a medical device (contact lens) was revealed to be an effective strategy to ameliorate and/or to prolong the peptides' antimicrobial efficacy. Overall, these data make Esc peptides encouraging candidates for novel multifunctional drugs to treat lung pathology especially in patients with cystic fibrosis and eye dysfunctions, characterized by both tissue injury and bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
| | - Loretta Ferrera
- UOC Genetica Medica, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.R.L.); (B.C.); (F.C.)
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Scoffone VC, Barbieri G, Irudal S, Trespidi G, Buroni S. New Antimicrobial Strategies to Treat Multi-Drug Resistant Infections Caused by Gram-Negatives in Cystic Fibrosis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:71. [PMID: 38247630 PMCID: PMC10812592 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010071] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) suffer from recurrent bacterial infections which induce inflammation, lung tissue damage and failure of the respiratory system. Prolonged exposure to combinatorial antibiotic therapies triggers the appearance of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The development of alternative antimicrobial strategies may provide a way to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. Here we discuss different alternative approaches to the use of classic antibiotics: anti-virulence and anti-biofilm compounds which exert a low selective pressure; phage therapies that represent an alternative strategy with a high therapeutic potential; new methods helping antibiotics activity such as adjuvants; and antimicrobial peptides and nanoparticle formulations. Their mechanisms and in vitro and in vivo efficacy are described, in order to figure out a complete landscape of new alternative approaches to fight MDR Gram-negative CF pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Silvia Buroni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Lazzaro Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (V.C.S.); (G.B.); (S.I.); (G.T.)
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Canè C, Casciaro B, Di Somma A, Loffredo MR, Puglisi E, Battaglia G, Mellini M, Cappiello F, Rampioni G, Leoni L, Amoresano A, Duilio A, Mangoni ML. The antimicrobial peptide Esc(1-21)-1c increases susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to conventional antibiotics by decreasing the expression of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump. Front Chem 2023; 11:1271153. [PMID: 37942400 PMCID: PMC10628714 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1271153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The increase in bacterial strains resistant to conventional antibiotics is an alarming problem for human health and could lead to pandemics in the future. Among bacterial pathogens responsible for a large variety of severe infections there is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new molecules with antimicrobial activity or that can act as adjuvants of antibiotics already in use. In this scenario, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold great promise. Recently, we characterized a frog-skin AMP derived from esculentin-1a, namely Esc(1-21)-1c, endowed with antipseudomonal activity without being cytotoxic to human cells. Methods: The combinatorial effect of the peptide and antibiotics was investigated through the checkerboard assay, differential proteomic and transcriptional analysis. Results: Here, we found that Esc(1-21)-1c can synergistically inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa cells with three different antibiotics, including tetracycline. We therefore investigated the underlying mechanism implemented by the peptide using a differential proteomic approach. The data revealed a significant decrease in the production of three proteins belonging to the MexAB-OprM efflux pump upon treatment with sub-inhibitory concentration of Esc(1-21)-1c. Down-regulation of these proteins was confirmed by transcriptional analysis and direct measurement of their relative levels in bacterial cells by tandem mass spectrometry analysis in multiple reaction monitoring scan mode. Conclusion: These evidences suggest that treatment with Esc(1-21)-1c in combination with antibiotics would increase the intracellular drug content making bacteria more susceptible to the antibiotic. Overall, these results highlight the importance of characterizing new molecules able to synergize with conventional antibiotics, paving the way for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies based on AMP/antibiotic formulations to counteract the emergence of resistant bacterial strains and increase the use of "old" antibiotics in medical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Canè
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Di Somma
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Puglisi
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Battaglia
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Marta Mellini
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giordano Rampioni
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Leoni
- Department of Science, University “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Duilio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
- National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory Affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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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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Cavallazzi Sebold B, Li J, Ni G, Fu Q, Li H, Liu X, Wang T. Going Beyond Host Defence Peptides: Horizons of Chemically Engineered Peptides for Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria. BioDrugs 2023; 37:607-623. [PMID: 37300748 PMCID: PMC10432368 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00608-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are considered a health threat worldwide, and this problem is set to increase over the decades. The ESKAPE, a group of six pathogens including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. is the major source of concern due to their high death incidence and nosocomial acquired infection. Host defence peptides (HDPs) are a class of ribosomally synthesised peptides that have shown promising results in combating MDR, including the ESKAPE group, in- and outside bacterial biofilms. However, their poor pharmacokinetics in physiological mediums may impede HDPs from becoming viable clinical candidates. To circumvent this problem, chemical engineering of HDPs has been seen as an emergent approach to not only improve their pharmacokinetics but also their efficacy against pathogens. In this review, we explore several chemical modifications of HDPs that have shown promising results, especially against ESKAPE pathogens, and provide an overview of the current findings with respect to each modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Cavallazzi Sebold
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Junjie Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Guoying Ni
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Cancer Research Institute, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China
| | - Quanlan Fu
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Hejie Li
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia
| | - Xiaosong Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia.
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore BC, QLD, 4558, Australia.
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8
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Antimicrobial Peptides as an Alternative for the Eradication of Bacterial Biofilms of Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030642. [PMID: 35336016 PMCID: PMC8950055 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial resistance is an emergency public health problem worldwide, compounded by the ability of bacteria to form biofilms, mainly in seriously ill hospitalized patients. The World Health Organization has published a list of priority bacteria that should be studied and, in turn, has encouraged the development of new drugs. Herein, we explain the importance of studying new molecules such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with potential against multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria and focus on the inhibition of biofilm formation. This review describes the main causes of antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation, as well as the main and potential AMP applications against these bacteria. Our results suggest that the new biomacromolecules to be discovered and studied should focus on this group of dangerous and highly infectious bacteria. Alternative molecules such as AMPs could contribute to eradicating biofilm proliferation by MDR/XDR bacteria; this is a challenging undertaking with promising prospects.
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9
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Esc peptides as novel potentiators of defective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator: an unprecedented property of antimicrobial peptides. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:67. [PMID: 34971429 PMCID: PMC8752549 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04030-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein lead to persistent lung bacterial infections, mainly due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, causing loss of respiratory function and finally death of people affected by CF. Unfortunately, even in the era of CFTR modulation therapies, management of pulmonary infections in CF remains highly challenging especially for patients with advanced stages of lung disease. Recently, we identified antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), namely Esc peptides, with potent antipseudomonal activity. In this study, by means of electrophysiological techniques and computational studies we discovered their ability to increase the CFTR-controlled ion currents, by direct interaction with the F508del-CFTR mutant. Remarkably, this property was not explored previously with any AMPs or peptides in general. More interestingly, in contrast with clinically used CFTR modulators, Esc peptides would give particular benefit to CF patients by combining their capability to eradicate lung infections and to act as promoters of airway wound repair with their ability to ameliorate the activity of the channel with conductance defects. Overall, our findings not only highlighted Esc peptides as the first characterized AMPs with a novel property, that is the potentiator activity of CFTR, but also paved the avenue to investigate the functions of AMPs and/or other peptide molecules, for a new up-and-coming pharmacological approach to address CF lung disease.
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10
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Krishnan M, Choi J, Jang A, Yoon YK, Kim Y. Antiseptic 9-Meric Peptide with Potency against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12520. [PMID: 34830401 PMCID: PMC8621208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infection can cause acute host reactions that lead to high-fatality sepsis, making it important to develop new therapeutic options. Previously, we developed a short 9-meric peptide, Pro9-3D, with significant antibacterial and cytotoxic effects. In this study, we attempted to produce safer peptide antibiotics against CRAB by reversing the parent sequence to generate R-Pro9-3 and R-Pro9-3D. Among the tested peptides, R-Pro9-3D had the most rapid and effective antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, particularly clinical CRAB isolates. Analyses of antimicrobial mechanisms based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-neutralization, LPS binding, and membrane depolarization, as well as SEM ultrastructural investigations, revealed that R-Pro9-3D binds strongly to LPS and impairs the membrane integrity of CRAB by effectively permeabilizing its outer membrane. R-Pro9-3D was also less cytotoxic and had better proteolytic stability than Pro9-3D and killed biofilm forming CRAB. As an LPS-neutralizing peptide, R-Pro9-3D effectively reduced LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in RAW 264.7 cells. The antiseptic abilities of R-Pro9-3D were also investigated using a mouse model of CRAB-induced sepsis, which revealed that R-Pro9-3D reduced multiple organ damage and attenuated systemic infection by acting as an antibacterial and immunosuppressive agent. Thus, R-Pro9-3D displays potential as a novel antiseptic peptide for treating Gram-negative CRAB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manigandan Krishnan
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Joonhyeok Choi
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Ahjin Jang
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
| | - Young Kyung Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - Yangmee Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.K.); (J.C.); (A.J.)
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11
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Song X, Liu P, Liu X, Wang Y, Wei H, Zhang J, Yu L, Yan X, He Z. Dealing with MDR bacteria and biofilm in the post-antibiotic era: Application of antimicrobial peptides-based nano-formulation. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2021; 128:112318. [PMID: 34474869 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria due to the improper and overuse of antibiotics and the ineffective performance of antibiotics against the difficult-to-treat biofilm-related infections (BRIs) have urgently called for alternative antimicrobial agents and strategies in combating bacterial infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), owing to their compelling antimicrobial activity against MDR bacteria and BRIs without causing bacteria resistance, have attracted extensive attention in the research field. With the development of nanomaterial-based drug delivery strategies, AMPs-based nano-formulations have significantly improved the therapeutic effects of AMPs by ameliorating their hydrolytic stability, half-life in vivo, and solubility as well as reducing the cytotoxicity and hemolysis, etc. This review has comprehensively summarized the application AMPs-based nano-formulation in various bacterial infections models, including bloodstream infections (specifically sepsis), pulmonary infections, chronic wound infections, gastrointestinal infections, among others. The design of the nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems and the therapeutic effects of the AMPs-based nano-formulations in literature have been categorized and in details discussed. Overall, this review provides insights into the advantages and disadvantages of the current developed AMPs-based nano-formulations in literature for the treatment of bacterial infections, bringing inspirations and suggestions for their future design in the way towards clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Song
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Pengyan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Xiaohu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Huichao Wei
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Liangmin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Xuefeng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Zhiyu He
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
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12
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Loffredo MR, Savini F, Bobone S, Casciaro B, Franzyk H, Mangoni ML, Stella L. Inoculum effect of antimicrobial peptides. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2014364118. [PMID: 34021080 PMCID: PMC8166072 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2014364118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The activity of many antibiotics depends on the initial density of cells used in bacterial growth inhibition assays. This phenomenon, termed the inoculum effect, can have important consequences for the therapeutic efficacy of the drugs, because bacterial loads vary by several orders of magnitude in clinically relevant infections. Antimicrobial peptides are a promising class of molecules in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria because they act mainly by perturbing the cell membranes rather than by inhibiting intracellular targets. Here, we report a systematic characterization of the inoculum effect for this class of antibacterial compounds. Minimum inhibitory concentration values were measured for 13 peptides (including all-D enantiomers) and peptidomimetics, covering more than seven orders of magnitude in inoculated cell density. In most cases, the inoculum effect was significant for cell densities above the standard inoculum of 5 × 105 cells/mL, while for lower densities the active concentrations remained essentially constant, with values in the micromolar range. In the case of membrane-active peptides, these data can be rationalized by considering a simple model, taking into account peptide-cell association, and hypothesizing that a threshold number of cell-bound peptide molecules is required in order to cause bacterial killing. The observed effect questions the clinical utility of activity and selectivity determinations performed at a fixed, standardized cell density. A routine evaluation of the dependence of the activity of antimicrobial peptides and peptidomimetics on the inoculum should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Savini
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Bobone
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Casciaro
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Henrik Franzyk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Stella
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
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13
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Casciaro B, Cappiello F, Verrusio W, Cacciafesta M, Mangoni ML. Antimicrobial Peptides and their Multiple Effects at Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:1264-1273. [PMID: 32338221 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200427090912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The frequent occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains to conventional antimicrobials has led to a clear decline in antibiotic therapies. Therefore, new molecules with different mechanisms of action are extremely necessary. Due to their unique properties, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a valid alternative to conventional antibiotics and many of them have been characterized for their activity and cytotoxicity. However, the effects that these peptides cause at concentrations below the minimum growth inhibitory concentration (MIC) have yet to be fully analyzed along with the underlying molecular mechanism. In this mini-review, the ability of AMPs to synergize with different antibiotic classes or different natural compounds is examined. Furthermore, data on microbial resistance induction are reported to highlight the importance of antibiotic resistance in the fight against infections. Finally, the effects that sub-MIC levels of AMPs can have on the bacterial pathogenicity are summarized while showing how signaling pathways can be valid therapeutic targets for the treatment of infectious diseases. All these aspects support the high potential of AMPs as lead compounds for the development of new drugs with antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Casciaro
- Center For Life Nano Science @ Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Walter Verrusio
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Mauro Cacciafesta
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
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14
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Sandhu G, Morrow MR, Booth V. Roles of histidine charge and cardiolipin in membrane disruption by antimicrobial peptides Gaduscidin-1 and Gaduscidin-2. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2020; 1862:183444. [PMID: 32822647 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gad-1 and Gad-2 are helical, histidine-rich antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from paralogous genes in cod. 15N and 2H solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to characterize their lipid-bound structures and lipid interactions. Gad-1 was found to position in-plane in POPC: POPG bilayers. Gad-1 displayed greater effects than Gad-2 on lipid acyl chain order of POPE: POPG and POPE: POPG: CL bilayers, in keeping with its greater activity against E. coli. The effect of Gad-1 and Gad-2 on lipid bilayer order was only weakly affected by changes in pH, and hence changes in histidine charge. This was somewhat surprising for Gad-2 as this peptide's biological activity has been shown to be greater at low pH and thus the finding may point to the existence of functional interactions with non-lipid components of bacteria. The incorporation of cardiolipin into POPE: POPG bilayers in such a way as to preserve the overall charge of the bilayers did not alter Gad-1's effects on lipid acyl chain order parameters, which report on motions on the 10-5 s timescale. When cardiolipin and Gad-1 were both present, there were subtle changes on membrane dynamics at other timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Sandhu
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Michael R Morrow
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Valerie Booth
- Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.
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15
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Krishnan M, Choi J, Jang A, Kim Y. A Novel Peptide Antibiotic, Pro10-1D, Designed from Insect Defensin Shows Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Sepsis Models. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176216. [PMID: 32867384 PMCID: PMC7504360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the challenges faced by conventional therapeutics, novel peptide antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria need to be urgently developed. We had previously designed Pro9-3 and Pro9-3D from the defensin of beetle Protaetia brevitarsis; they showed high antimicrobial activity with cytotoxicity. Here, we aimed to develop peptide antibiotics with bacterial cell selectivity and potent antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria. We designed 10-meric peptides with increased cationicity by adding Arg to the N-terminus of Pro9-3 (Pro10-1) and its D-enantiomeric alteration (Pro10-1D). Among all tested peptides, the newly designed Pro10-1D showed the strongest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and MDR strains with resistance against protease digestion. Pro10-1D can act as a novel potent peptide antibiotic owing to its outstanding inhibitory activities against bacterial film formation with high bacterial cell selectivity. Dye leakage and scanning electron microscopy revealed that Pro10-1D targets the bacterial membrane. Pro10-1D inhibited inflammation via Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, Pro10-1D ameliorated multiple-organ damage and attenuated systemic infection-associated inflammation in an E. coli K1-induced sepsis mouse model. Overall, our results suggest that Pro10-1D can potentially serve as a novel peptide antibiotic for the treatment of gram-negative sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yangmee Kim
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-450-3421; Fax: +82-2-447-5987
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16
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Casciaro B, Cappiello F, Loffredo MR, Ghirga F, Mangoni ML. The Potential of Frog Skin Peptides for Anti-Infective Therapies: The Case of Esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:1405-1419. [PMID: 31333082 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190722095408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are the key effectors of the innate immunity and represent promising molecules for the development of new antibacterial drugs. However, to achieve this goal, some problems need to be overcome: (i) the cytotoxic effects at high concentrations; (ii) the poor biostability and (iii) the difficulty in reaching the target site. Frog skin is one of the richest natural storehouses of AMPs, and over the years, many peptides have been isolated from it, characterized and classified into several families encompassing temporins, brevinins, nigrocins and esculentins. In this review, we summarized how the isolation/characterization of peptides belonging to the esculentin-1 family drove us to the design of an analogue, i.e. esculentin-1a(1-21)NH2, with a powerful antimicrobial action and immunomodulatory properties. The peptide had a wide spectrum of activity, especially against the opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We described the structural features and the in vitro/in vivo biological characterization of this peptide as well as the strategies used to improve its biological properties. Among them: (i) the design of a diastereomer carrying Damino acids in order to reduce the peptide's cytotoxicity and improve its half-life; (ii) the covalent conjugation of the peptide to gold nanoparticles or its encapsulation into poly(lactide- co-glycolide) nanoparticles; and (iii) the peptide immobilization to biomedical devices (such as silicon hydrogel contact lenses) to obtain an antibacterial surface able to reduce microbial growth and attachment. Summing up the best results obtained so far, this review traces all the steps that led these frog-skin AMPs to the direction of peptide-based drugs for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Casciaro
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@ Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Floriana Cappiello
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano Science@ Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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17
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Casciaro B, Ghirga F, Quaglio D, Mangoni ML. Inorganic Gold and Polymeric Poly(Lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles as Novel Strategies to Ameliorate the Biological Properties of Antimicrobial Peptides. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2020; 21:429-438. [DOI: 10.2174/1389203720666191203101947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an interesting class of gene-encoded molecules
endowed with a broad-spectrum of anti-infective activity and immunomodulatory properties. They
represent promising candidates for the development of new antibiotics, mainly due to their membraneperturbing
mechanism of action that very rarely induces microbial resistance. However, bringing
AMPs into the clinical field is hampered by some intrinsic limitations, encompassing low peptide
bioavailability at the target site and high peptide susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. In this regard,
nanotechnologies represent an innovative strategy to circumvent these issues. According to the
literature, a large variety of nanoparticulate systems have been employed for drug-delivery, bioimaging,
biosensors or nanoantibiotics. The possibility of conjugating different types of molecules, including
AMPs, to these systems, allows the production of nanoformulations able to enhance the biological
profile of the compound while reducing its cytotoxicity and prolonging its residence time. In this minireview,
inorganic gold nanoparticles (NPs) and biodegradable polymeric NPs made of poly(lactide-coglycolide)
are described with particular emphasis on examples of the conjugation of AMPs to them, to
highlight the great potential of such nanoformulations as alternative antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Casciaro
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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18
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Bronchial epithelium repair by Esculentin-1a-derived antimicrobial peptides: involvement of metalloproteinase-9 and interleukin-8, and evaluation of peptides' immunogenicity. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18988. [PMID: 31831857 PMCID: PMC6908641 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55426-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The airway epithelium is seriously damaged upon pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, especially in cystic fibrosis (CF) sufferers. Therefore, the discovery of novel anti-infective agents accelerating healing of infected injured tissues is crucial. The antipseudomonal peptides esculentin-1a(1–21)NH2 and its diastereomer Esc(1–21)-1c (Esc peptides) hold promise in this respect. In fact, they stimulate airway epithelial wound repair, but no mechanistic insights are available. Here we demonstrated that this process occurs through promotion of cell migration by an indirect activation of epidermal growth factor receptor mediated by metalloproteinases. Furthermore, we showed an increased expression of metalloproteinase 9, at both gene and protein levels, in peptide-treated bronchial epithelial cells with a functional or mutated form of CF transmembrane conductance regulator. In addition, the two peptides counteracted the inhibitory effect of Pseudomonas lipopolysaccharide (mimicking an infection condition) on the wound healing activity of the airway epithelium, and they enhanced the production of interleukin-8 from both types of cells. Finally, no immunogenicity was discovered for Esc peptides, suggesting their potential safety for clinical usage. Besides representing a step forward in understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the peptide-induced wound healing activity, these studies have contributed to highlight Esc peptides as valuable therapeutics with multiple functions.
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19
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Solid-State NMR Approaches to Study Protein Structure and Protein-Lipid Interactions. Methods Mol Biol 2019. [PMID: 31218633 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9512-7_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Solid-state NMR spectroscopy has been developed for the investigation of membrane-associated polypeptides and remains one of the few techniques to reveal high-resolution structural information in liquid-disordered phospholipid bilayers. In particular, oriented samples have been used to investigate the structure, dynamics and topology of membrane polypeptides. Much of the previous solid-state NMR work has been developed and performed on peptides but the technique is constantly expanding towards larger membrane proteins. Here, a number of protocols are presented describing among other the reconstitution of membrane proteins into oriented membranes, monitoring membrane alignment by 31P solid-state NMR spectroscopy, investigations of the protein by one- and two-dimensional 15N solid-state NMR and measurements of the lipid order parameters using 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Using such methods solid-state NMR spectroscopy has revealed a detailed picture of the ensemble of both lipids and proteins and their mutual interdependence in the bilayer environment.
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20
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Varnava KG, Mohid SA, Calligari P, Stella L, Reynison J, Bhunia A, Sarojini V. Design, Synthesis, Antibacterial Potential, and Structural Characterization of N-Acylated Derivatives of the Human Autophagy 16 Polypeptide. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 30:1998-2010. [PMID: 31145591 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A synthetic antimicrobial peptide library based on the human autophagy 16 polypeptide has been developed. Designed acetylated peptides bearing lipids of different chain lengths resulted in peptides with enhanced potency compared to the parent Atg16. A 21-residue fragment of Atg16 conjugated to 4-methylhexanoic acid (K30) emerged as the most potent antibacterial, with negligible hemolysis. Several studies, including microscopy, dye leakage, and ITC, were conducted to gain insight into the antibacterial mechanism of action of the peptide. Visual inspection using both SEM and TEM revealed the membranolytic effect of the peptide on bacterial cells. The selectivity of the peptide against bacterial cell membranes was also proven using dye leakage assays. ITC analysis revealed the exothermic nature of the binding interaction of the peptide to D8PG micelles. The three-dimensional solution NMR structure of K30 in complex with dioctanoylphosphatidylglycerol (D8PG) micelles revealed that the peptide adopts a helix-loop-helix structure in the presence of anionic membrane lipids mimicking bacterial membranes. Intermolecular NOEs between the peptide and lipid deciphered the location of the peptide in the bound state, which was subsequently supported by the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) NMR experiment. Collectively, these results describe the structure-function relationship of the peptide in the bacterial membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriakos Gabriel Varnava
- School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019 , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Sk Abdul Mohid
- Department of Biophysics , Bose Institute , P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M) , Kolkata 700054 , India
| | - Paolo Calligari
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Lorenzo Stella
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies , University of Rome Tor Vergata , 00133 Rome , Italy
| | - Jóhannes Reynison
- School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019 , Auckland , New Zealand.,School of Pharmacy, Hornbeam Building , Keele University , Staffordshire ST5 5BG , United Kingdom
| | - Anirban Bhunia
- Department of Biophysics , Bose Institute , P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII (M) , Kolkata 700054 , India
| | - Vijayalekshmi Sarojini
- School of Chemical Sciences , The University of Auckland , Private Bag 92019 , Auckland , New Zealand.,The MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology , Wellington 6140 , New Zealand
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21
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Casciaro B, Lin Q, Afonin S, Loffredo MR, de Turris V, Middel V, Ulrich AS, Di YP, Mangoni ML. Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation and expression of virulence genes by selective epimerization in the peptide Esculentin-1a(1-21)NH 2. FEBS J 2019; 286:3874-3891. [PMID: 31144441 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacterium known to cause serious human infections, especially in immune-compromised patients. This is due to its unique ability to transform from a drug-tolerant planktonic to a more dangerous and treatment-resistant sessile life form, called biofilm. Recently, two derivatives of the frog skin antimicrobial peptide esculentin-1a, i.e. Esc(1-21) and its D-amino acids containing diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c, were characterized for their powerful anti-Pseudomonal activity against both forms. Prevention of biofilm formation already in its early stages could be even more advantageous for counteracting infections induced by this bacterium. In this work, we studied how the diastereomer Esc(1-21)-1c can inhibit Pseudomonas biofilm formation in comparison to the parent peptide and two clinically-used conventional antibiotics, i.e. colistin and aztreonam, when applied at dosages below the minimal growth inhibitory concentration. Biofilm prevention was correlated to the peptides' ability to inhibit Pseudomonas motility and to reduce the production of virulent metabolites, for example, pyoverdine and rhamnolipids. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism underlying these activities was evaluated by studying the peptides' effect on the expression of key genes involved in the virulence and motility of bacteria, as well as by monitoring the peptides' binding to the bacterial signaling nucleotide ppGpp. Our results demonstrate that the presence of only two D-amino acids in Esc(1-21)-1c is sufficient to downregulate ppGpp-mediated expression of biofilm-associated genes, presumably as a result of higher peptide stability and therefore prolonged interaction with the nucleotide. Overall, these studies should assist efficient design and optimization of new anti-infective agents with multiple pharmacologically beneficial properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Casciaro
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Qiao Lin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sergii Afonin
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Maria Rosa Loffredo
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Volker Middel
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG), KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Anne S Ulrich
- Institute of Biological Interfaces (IBG-2), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany.,Institute of Organic Chemistry, KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - YuanPu Peter Di
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maria Luisa Mangoni
- Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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22
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Salnikov ES, Aisenbrey C, Anantharamaiah G, Bechinger B. Solid-state NMR structural investigations of peptide-based nanodiscs and of transmembrane helices in bicellar arrangements. Chem Phys Lipids 2019; 219:58-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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23
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Varga JFA, Bui-Marinos MP, Katzenback BA. Frog Skin Innate Immune Defences: Sensing and Surviving Pathogens. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3128. [PMID: 30692997 PMCID: PMC6339944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin is a mucosal surface in direct and continuous contact with a microbially diverse and laden aquatic and/or terrestrial environment. As such, frog skin is an important innate immune organ and first line of defence against pathogens in the environment. Critical to the innate immune functions of frog skin are the maintenance of physical, chemical, cellular, and microbiological barriers and the complex network of interactions that occur across all the barriers. Despite the global decline in amphibian populations, largely as a result of emerging infectious diseases, we understand little regarding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the innate immune function of amphibian skin and defence against pathogens. In this review, we discuss the structure, cell composition and cellular junctions that contribute to the skin physical barrier, the antimicrobial peptide arsenal that, in part, comprises the chemical barrier, the pattern recognition receptors involved in recognizing pathogens and initiating innate immune responses in the skin, and the contribution of commensal microbes on the skin to pathogen defence. We briefly discuss the influence of environmental abiotic factors (natural and anthropogenic) and pathogens on the immunocompetency of frog skin defences. Although some aspects of frog innate immunity, such as antimicrobial peptides are well-studied; other components and how they contribute to the skin innate immune barrier, are lacking. Elucidating the complex network of interactions occurring at the interface of the frog's external and internal environments will yield insight into the crucial role amphibian skin plays in host defence and the environmental factors leading to compromised barrier integrity, disease, and host mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph F A Varga
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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24
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Zeng B, Chai J, Deng Z, Ye T, Chen W, Li D, Chen X, Chen M, Xu X. Functional Characterization of a Novel Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Peptide in Vitro and in Vivo. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10709-10723. [PMID: 30427189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of host immune defense of vertebrates against microbial invasions. Here, we report a new AMP (esculentin-1GN) characterized from the skin of the frog Hylarana guentheri. Esculentin-1GN (GLFSKKGGKGGKSWIKGVFKGIKGIGKEVGGDVIRTGIEIAACKIKGEC) with high amphipathic α-helical structure in membrane-mimetic environments has the microbial-killing activity by destruction of the cell membrane. Moreover, esculentin-1GN inhibits LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor while it enhances expression of interleukin-10. Furthermore, esculentin-1GN can bind to d-(+)-galacturonic acid and LPS. Meanwhile, esculentin-1GN suppresses the activation of inflammatory response pathway induced by LPS. In addition, esculentin-1GN significantly reduces acute inflammation in carrageenan-induced mice paw. Taken together, the novel LPS-binding esculentin-1GN with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities will be an excellent temple for designing new antibiotic formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baishuang Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Jinwei Chai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Zhenhui Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Tiaofei Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Wenbin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Dan Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine , Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510282 , China
| | - Ming Chen
- State Key Laboratory for the Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, School of Chemistry and Pharmacy , Guangxi Normal University , Guilin 541004 , China
| | - Xueqing Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510515 , China
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25
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Ghosh C, Harmouche N, Bechinger B, Haldar J. Aryl-Alkyl-Lysines Interact with Anionic Lipid Components of Bacterial Cell Envelope Eliciting Anti-Inflammatory and Antibiofilm Properties. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:9182-9190. [PMID: 31459052 PMCID: PMC6645134 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of bacterial resistance and hesitance in approving new drugs has bolstered research on membrane-active agents such as antimicrobial peptides and their synthetic derivatives as therapeutic alternatives against bacterial infections. Herein, we document the action of aryl-alkyl-lysines on liposomes mimicking bacterial membranes using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A significant perturbation of the lipid thickness and order parameter of the lipid membrane was observed upon treatment with this class of compounds. Encouraged by these results, the ability of the most active compound (NCK-10) to interact with aggregates of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) was studied. In vitro experiments showed that NCK-10 was able to prevent the LPS-induced stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. The compound could also disrupt the biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and bring down the bacterial burden by more than 99% in a mice model of burn infections caused by the biofilms of P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandradhish Ghosh
- Antimicrobial Research
Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal
Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
| | - Nicole Harmouche
- Université
de Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie, 67008 Strasbourg, France
| | - Burkhard Bechinger
- Université
de Strasbourg/CNRS, UMR7177, Institut de Chimie, 67008 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jayanta Haldar
- Antimicrobial Research
Laboratory, New Chemistry Unit, Jawaharlal
Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru 560064, Karnataka, India
- E-mail: (J.H.)
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26
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Lipid-Mediated Interactions between the Antimicrobial Peptides Magainin 2 and PGLa in Bilayers. Biophys J 2018; 115:1033-1044. [PMID: 30195937 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A synergistic enhancement of activities has been described for the amphipathic cationic antimicrobial peptides magainin 2 and PGLa when tested in antimicrobial assays or in biophysical experiments using model membranes. In the presence of magainin 2, PGLa changes from an in-planar alignment parallel to the membrane surface to a more transmembrane orientation when investigated in membranes made from fully saturated PC or PC/PG, but not when one of the fatty acyl chains is unsaturated. Such lipid-mediated changes in the membrane topology of polypeptide domains could provide an interesting mechanism for the regulation of membrane proteins. Here we investigated the PGLa topology in a wide variety of membranes made of saturated or unsaturated PE, PC, and/or PG using 15N solid-state NMR spectroscopy. In contrast to predictions made by previous models the data show that membrane curvature has only a minor effect on PGLa realignment. Furthermore, using 2H solid-state NMR spectroscopy of deuterated phospholipid fatty acyl chains the order parameters of the lipids were investigated in the presence of PGLa, magainin, or equimolar peptide mixtures. Both peptides cause a pronounced decrease in the order parameters when oriented parallel to the membrane surface, an effect that reverts when PGLa flips into transmembrane alignments. Taken together, these data are suggestive that the magainin-induced disordering of fatty acyl chains provides an important driving force for PGLa realignment.
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27
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Musale V, Abdel-Wahab YHA, Flatt PR, Conlon JM, Mangoni ML. Insulinotropic, glucose-lowering, and beta-cell anti-apoptotic actions of peptides related to esculentin-1a(1-21).NH2. Amino Acids 2018; 50:723-734. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-018-2551-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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