1
|
Chen S, Qian Y, Wan D, Li Y, Zhou C. Synthesis and Synergistic Antimicrobial Efficacy of Covalent Conjugates Composed of Epsilon-Poly-l-lysine and Beta-Lactam Antibiotics. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:1990-1999. [PMID: 38363728 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The increasing severity of problems posed by drug-resistant pathogens has compelled researchers to explore innovative approaches for infection prevention. Among these strategies, conjugation methods stand out for their convenience and high efficacy. In this study, multiple covalent conjugates were synthesized, incorporating the natural antimicrobial peptide epsilon-poly-l-lysine (EPL) and two commonly used β-lactam antibiotics: penicillin G or ampicillin. Enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against typical Gram-negative pathogens, along with faster kill kinetics compared to combination approaches, was demonstrated by the EPL-Ampicillin covalent conjugates. Their antimicrobial mechanism was also substantiated through SEM and fluorescence tests in this work, confirming the inheritance of membrane-disrupting properties from EPL. Furthermore, the excellent biocompatibility of the raw materials was reserved in the covalent conjugates. This simplified conjugation method holds promise for the development of infection therapeutic drugs and potentially restores the sensitivity of conventional antibiotics to drug-resistant pathogens by introducing membrane-disrupting mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sijin Chen
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Yusheng Qian
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Decheng Wan
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Yan Li
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| | - Chuncai Zhou
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tongji University, 4800 Caoan Road, Shanghai 201804, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang Z, Teng D, Mao R, Hao Y, Yang N, Wang X, Wang J. A cleavable chimeric peptide with targeting and killing domains enhances LPS neutralization and antibacterial properties against multi-drug resistant E. coli. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1170. [PMID: 37973936 PMCID: PMC10654507 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05528-0] [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: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Escherichia coli is one of the most common causes of diarrhea diseases and its characteristic component of the outer membrane-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major inducer of sepsis. Few drugs have been proven to kill bacteria and simultaneously neutralize LPS toxicity. Here, the chimeric peptides-R7, A7 and G7 were generated by connecting LBP14 (LPS-targeting domain) with L7 (killing domain) via different linkers to improve antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Compared to parent LBP14-RKRR and L7, the antibacterial activity of R7 with a cleavable "RKRR" linker and the "LBP14-RKRR + L7" cocktail against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus was increased by 2 ~ 4-fold. Both A7 and G7 with non-cleavable linkers almost lost antibacterial activity. The ability of R7 to neutralize LPS was markedly higher than that of LBP14-RKRR and L7. In vivo, R7 could be cleaved by furin in a time-dependent manner, and release L7 and LBP14-RKRR in serum. In vivo, R7 can enhance mouse survival more effectively than L7 and alleviate lung injuries by selective inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathways and promoting higher IAP activity. It suggests that R7 may be promising dual-function candidates as antibacterial and anti-endotoxin agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenlong Wang
- Team of AMP & Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Da Teng
- Team of AMP & Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Mao
- Team of AMP & Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Hao
- Team of AMP & Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Yang
- Team of AMP & Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Team of AMP & Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Team of AMP & Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gao X, Zhao J, Chen W, Zhai Q. Food and drug design for gut microbiota-directed regulation: Current experimental landscape and future innovation. Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106867. [PMID: 37499703 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Most diets and medications enhance host health via microbiota-dependent ways, but it is in the present situation of untargeted regulation. Non-targeted regulation may lead to the ineffectiveness of dietary supplements or drug treatment. Microbiota-directed food, aiming to improve diseases by targeting specific microbes without affecting other bacteria, have been proposed to deal with this problem. However, there is currently no universally applicable method to explore such foods or drugs. In this review, thirty studies on recent efforts in microbiota directed diets and medications are summarized from various databases. The methods used to find new foods and medications are primarily divided into four groups depending on the experimental models: in vivo and in vitro, as well as predictions based on bioinformatics. We also discuss their implementation, interpretation, and respective limitations, and describe the present situation. We further put forward a framework for microbiota-directed foods and medicine according to above methods and other microbiome manipulation, which will spur precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Jianxin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Qixiao Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yang H, Wang L, Yuan L, Du H, Pan B, Lu K. Antimicrobial Peptides with Rigid Linkers against Gram-Negative Bacteria by Targeting Lipopolysaccharide. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:15903-15916. [PMID: 36511360 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c05921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A series of hybrid peptides were designed by connecting an antimicrobial peptide Ce(1-8) with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-targeting peptide Lf(28-34) via different linkers. Antimicrobial experimental results indicated that linkers play an essential role in the anti-Gram-negative bacterial activity of the hybrid peptides. Among these hybrid peptides, peptide CL5 with dipeptide rigid linker LP exhibited excellent activity and selectivity against Gram-negative bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of CL5 against the tested Gram-negative bacteria were 4-32 μM, while the toxicity toward HEK-293 cells was relatively low. It was found that the interactions of the peptides with LPS were crucial for peptide activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrobial mechanistic studies showed that peptide CL5 contributed to the death of Gram-negative bacterial cells by disrupting the integrity of the bacterial membranes. This study revealed the importance of linker selection in the design of hybrid peptides and provides the basis for the further development of antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Yang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Lan Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Food Science, Zhengzhou University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| | - Libo Yuan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Heng Du
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Boyuan Pan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Kui Lu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China
- School of Chemical Engineering and Food Science, Zhengzhou University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450044, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhang W, Hu E, Wang Y, Miao S, Liu Y, Hu Y, Liu J, Xu B, Chen D, Shen Y. Emerging Antibacterial Strategies with Application of Targeting Drug Delivery System and Combined Treatment. Int J Nanomedicine 2021; 16:6141-6156. [PMID: 34511911 PMCID: PMC8423451 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s311248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, some bacteria have developed significant resistance to almost all available antibiotics. One of the reasons that cannot be ignored is long-term exposure of bacteria to the sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a targeted antibiotic delivery system to improve drug delivery behavior, in order to delay the generation of bacterial drug resistance. In recent years, with the continuous development of nanotechnology, various types of nanocarriers that respond to the infection microenvironment, targeting specific bacterial targets, and targeting infected cells, and so on, are gradually being used in the delivery of antibacterial agents to increase the concentration of drugs at the site of infection and reduce the side effects of drugs in normal tissues. Here, this article describes in detail the latest research progress on nanocarriers for antimicrobial, and commonly used targeted antimicrobial strategies. The advantages of the combination of nanotechnology and targeting strategies in combating bacterial infections are highlighted in this review, and the upcoming opportunities and remaining challenges in this field are rationally prospected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenli Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Enshi Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajie Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Si Miao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yumin Hu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Bohui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Daquan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Yantai University, State Key Laboratory of Long-acting and Targeting Drug Delivery System, Yantai, 264005, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Shen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sahoo A, Swain SS, Behera A, Sahoo G, Mahapatra PK, Panda SK. Antimicrobial Peptides Derived From Insects Offer a Novel Therapeutic Option to Combat Biofilm: A Review. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:661195. [PMID: 34248873 PMCID: PMC8265172 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.661195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms form a complex layer with defined structures, that attach on biotic or abiotic surfaces, are tough to eradicate and tend to cause some resistance against most antibiotics. Several studies confirmed that biofilm-producing bacteria exhibit higher resistance compared to the planktonic form of the same species. Antibiotic resistance factors are well understood in planktonic bacteria which is not so in case of biofilm producing forms. This may be due to the lack of available drugs with known resistance mechanisms for biofilms. Existing antibiotics cannot eradicate most biofilms, especially of ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species). Insects produce complex and diverse set of chemicals for survival and defense. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), produced by most insects, generally have a broad spectrum of activity and the potential to bypass the resistance mechanisms of classical antibiotics. Besides, AMPs may well act synergistically with classical antibiotics for a double-pronged attack on infections. Thus, AMPs could be promising alternatives to overcome medically important biofilms, decrease the possibility of acquired resistance and treatment of multidrug-resistant pathogens including ESKAPE. The present review focuses on insect-derived AMPs with special reference to anti-biofilm-based strategies. It covers the AMP composition, pathways and mechanisms of action, the formation of biofilms, impact of biofilms on human diseases, current strategies as well as therapeutic options to combat biofilm with antimicrobial peptides from insects. In addition, the review also illustrates the importance of bioinformatics tools and molecular docking studies to boost the importance of select bioactive peptides those can be developed as drugs, as well as suggestions for further basic and clinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaka Sahoo
- Department of Skin & VD, Institute of Medical Sciences, SUM Hospital, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Shasank Sekhar Swain
- Division of Microbiology & NCDs, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Ayusman Behera
- Department of Zoology, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada, India
| | - Gunanidhi Sahoo
- Department of Zoology, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, India
| | | | - Sujogya Kumar Panda
- Centre of Environment, Climate Change and Public Health, RUSA 2.0, Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Carratalá JV, Serna N, Villaverde A, Vázquez E, Ferrer-Miralles N. Nanostructured antimicrobial peptides: The last push towards clinics. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 44:107603. [PMID: 32738381 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Peptide drugs hold great potential for the treatment of infectious diseases due to their unconventional mechanisms of action, biocompatibility, biodegradability and ease of synthesis and modification. The increasing rising of bacterial strains resistant to classical antibiotics have pushed the development of new peptide-based antimicrobial therapies. In this context, over the past few years, different approaches have reached a clinical approval. Furthermore, the application of nanotechnological principles to the design of antimicrobial peptide-based composites increases even more the already known benefits of antimicrobial peptides as competent protein drugs. Then, we provide here an overview of the current strategies for antimicrobial peptide discovery and modification and the status of such peptides already under clinical development. In addition, we summarize the innovative formulation strategies for their application, focusing on the controlled self-assembly for the fabrication of antimicrobial nanostructures without the assistance of external nanocarriers, and with emphasis on bioengineering, design of ultra-short peptides and rising insights in bacterial selectivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Vicente Carratalá
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Naroa Serna
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain.
| | - Antonio Villaverde
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain.
| | - Esther Vázquez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain.
| | - Neus Ferrer-Miralles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain; CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Maystrenko A, Feng Y, Akhtar N, Li J. The Addition of a Synthetic LPS-Targeting Domain Improves Serum Stability While Maintaining Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, and Cell Stimulating Properties of an Antimicrobial Peptide. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1014. [PMID: 32650576 PMCID: PMC7407491 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria and their biofilms are a concern in veterinary and human medicine. Protegrin-1 (PG-1), a potent antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, is considered a potential alternative for conventional antibiotics. AMPs are less stable and lose activity in the presence of physiological fluids, such as serum. To improve stability of PG-1, a hybrid peptide, SynPG-1, was designed. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of PG-1 and the PG-1 hybrid against MDR pathogens was analyzed, and activity after incubation with physiological fluids was compared. The effects of these peptides on the IPEC-J2 cell line was also investigated. While PG-1 maintained some activity in 25% serum for 2 h, SynPG-1 was able to retain activity in the same condition for up to 24 h, representing a 12-fold increase in stability. Both peptides had some antibiofilm activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. While both peptides prevented biofilm formation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), neither could destroy MRSA's pre-formed biofilms. Both peptides maintained activity after incubation with trypsin and porcine gastric fluid, but not intestinal fluid, and stimulated IPEC-J2 cell migration. These findings suggest that SynPG-1 has much better serum stability while maintaining the same antimicrobial potency as PG-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Julang Li
- Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.M.); (Y.F.); (N.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ting DSJ, Beuerman RW, Dua HS, Lakshminarayanan R, Mohammed I. Strategies in Translating the Therapeutic Potentials of Host Defense Peptides. Front Immunol 2020; 11:983. [PMID: 32528474 PMCID: PMC7256188 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The golden era of antibiotics, heralded by the discovery of penicillin, has long been challenged by the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Host defense peptides (HDPs), previously known as antimicrobial peptides, are emerging as a group of promising antimicrobial candidates for combatting AMR due to their rapid and unique antimicrobial action. Decades of research have advanced our understanding of the relationship between the physicochemical properties of HDPs and their underlying antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial functions, including immunomodulatory, anti-biofilm, and wound healing properties. However, the mission of translating novel HDP-derived molecules from bench to bedside has yet to be fully accomplished, primarily attributed to their intricate structure-activity relationship, toxicity, instability in host and microbial environment, lack of correlation between in vitro and in vivo efficacies, and dwindling interest from large pharmaceutical companies. Based on our previous experience and the expanding knowledge gleaned from the literature, this review aims to summarize the novel strategies that have been employed to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy, proteolytic stability, and cell selectivity, which are all crucial factors for bench-to-bedside translation of HDP-based treatment. Strategies such as residues substitution with natural and/or unnatural amino acids, hybridization, L-to-D heterochiral isomerization, C- and N-terminal modification, cyclization, incorporation with nanoparticles, and "smart design" using artificial intelligence technology, will be discussed. We also provide an overview of HDP-based treatment that are currently in the development pipeline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Shu Jeng Ting
- Larry A. Donoso Laboratory for Eye Research, Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Anti-infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Roger W Beuerman
- Anti-infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Harminder S Dua
- Larry A. Donoso Laboratory for Eye Research, Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rajamani Lakshminarayanan
- Anti-infectives Research Group, Singapore Eye Research Institute, The Academia, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Imran Mohammed
- Larry A. Donoso Laboratory for Eye Research, Academic Ophthalmology, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Development of chimeric peptides to facilitate the neutralisation of lipopolysaccharides during bactericidal targeting of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli. Commun Biol 2020; 3:41. [PMID: 31974490 PMCID: PMC6978316 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0761-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic Escherichia coli can cause fatal diarrheal diseases in both animals and humans. However, no antibiotics or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can adequately kill resistant bacteria and clear bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which leads to inflammation and sepsis. Here, the LPS-targeted smart chimeric peptides (SCPs)-A6 and G6 are generated by connecting LPS-targeting peptide-LBP14 and killing domain-N6 via different linkers. Rigid and flexible linkers retain the independent biological activities from each component. SCPs-A6 and G6 exert low toxicity and no bacterial resistance, and they more rapidly kill multiple-drug-resistant E. coli and more effectively neutralize LPS toxicity than N6 alone. The SCPs can enhance mouse survival more effectively than N6 or polymyxin B and alleviate lung injuries by blocking mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa-B p65 activation. These findings uniquely show that SCPs-A6 and G6 may be promising dual-function candidates as improved antibacterial and anti-endotoxin agents to treat bacterial infection and sepsis. Wang ZL and Wang XM design bactericidal peptides in which an antimicrobial domain is fused to a domain that facilitates the neutralisation of lipoplysaccaride (LPS) to prevent inflammation associated with the targeting of Gram-negative bacteria. They characterise their properties and structures, and show their efficiency in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
|
11
|
Fan X, Xu H, Song J, Jin Y, Wink M, Wu G. Using a Membrane-Penetrating-Peptide to Anchor Ligands in the Liposome Membrane Facilitates Targeted Drug Delivery. Bioconjug Chem 2019; 31:113-122. [PMID: 31841319 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.9b00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are typical cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) that intercalate into biomembranes and exhibit broad activities. We designed a triple fusion protein consisting of an AMP, Ib-AMP4 at the N-terminus, a fluorescent GFP probe in the center, and the tumor-targeting peptide P1c at the other terminus. After purification from E. coli, the interaction between the Ib-AMP4-GFP-P1c fusion protein (IGP) and the lipid membrane was characterized. Experiments using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) demonstrated that IGP proteins spontaneously bound the lipid bilayer with a maximal molar ratio of 1:52 (protein:lipid). Furthermore, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that the IGP protein was present in the liposome membrane. After decoration with IGP proteins, the DOPC:DOPG liposomes were applied to cancer cells. Microscopy and flow cytometry reveal that the decorated liposomes selectively bound integrin αvβ3-positive A549 cells. In addition, compared with the common chemical conjugation method, the reported method seemed to be superior in certain aspects, such as simple sample preparation and cost-effectiveness. Next, the IGP protein was applied to decorate red blood cell (RBC) liposomes for targeted delivery in both in vitro and in vivo applications. The IGP-decorated RBC liposomes preferentially targeted integrin αvβ3 expressing A549 cancer cells. The in vivo imaging showed that IGP-decorated RBC liposomes were concentrated in tumor tissue and were primarily metabolized by the liver and kidney.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Fan
- Diagnostics Department, Medical School , Southeast University , Nanjing 21009 , China
| | - Hongbo Xu
- Diagnostics Department, Medical School , Southeast University , Nanjing 21009 , China
| | - Junlong Song
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Science & Technology , Nanjing Forestry University , Nanjing 210009 , China
| | - Yongcan Jin
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Science & Technology , Nanjing Forestry University , Nanjing 210009 , China
| | - Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biology , Heidelberg University , Heidelberg 69120 , Germany
| | - Guoqiu Wu
- Center for Clinical Laboratory Medicine of Zhongda Hospital , Southeast University , Nanjing 21009 , China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Raheem N, Straus SK. Mechanisms of Action for Antimicrobial Peptides With Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Functions. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2866. [PMID: 31921046 PMCID: PMC6927293 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The antibiotic crisis has led to a pressing need for alternatives such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Recent work has shown that these molecules have great potential not only as antimicrobials, but also as antibiofilm agents, immune modulators, anti-cancer agents and anti-inflammatories. A better understanding of the mechanism of action (MOA) of AMPs is an important part of the discovery of more potent and less toxic AMPs. Many models and techniques have been utilized to describe the MOA. This review will examine how biological assays and biophysical methods can be utilized in the context of the specific antibacterial and antibiofilm functions of AMPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nigare Raheem
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Suzana K Straus
- Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kim H, Jang JH, Kim SC, Cho JH. Development of a novel hybrid antimicrobial peptide for targeted killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 185:111814. [PMID: 31678742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coupled with shrinking antibiotic pipelines, has increased the demand for new antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action. As the indiscriminate nature of broad-spectrum antimicrobial toxicity may have negative clinical consequences and increase the incidence of resistance, we have developed a P. aeruginosa-selective antimicrobial peptide capable of preferentially killing P. aeruginosa relative to benign microorganisms. A targeting peptide (PA2) that binds specifically to OprF porin on P. aeruginosa was identified by phage display peptide library screening, and a hybrid peptide was constructed by addition of the targeting peptide to GNU7, a potent antimicrobial peptide. The resulting hybrid peptide PA2-GNU7 exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa without causing host toxicity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis and time-kill experiments demonstrated that PA2-GNU7 exhibited a high degree of specificity for P. aeruginosa, and rapidly and selectively killed P. aeruginosa cells in mixed cultures. In addition, in vivo treatment efficacy of PA2-GNU7 was significantly greater than that of conventional antibiotics in a mouse model of MDR P. aeruginosa infection. Taken together, the data suggest that PA2-GNU7 may be a promising template for further development as a novel anti-MDR P. aeruginosa therapeutic agent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Kim
- Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea
| | - Ju Hye Jang
- Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea
| | - Sun Chang Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, South Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Cho
- Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea; Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jiang X, Qian K, Liu G, Sun L, Zhou G, Li J, Fang X, Ge H, Lv Z. Design and activity study of a melittin-thanatin hybrid peptide. AMB Express 2019; 9:14. [PMID: 30701481 PMCID: PMC6353975 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-019-0739-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique antimicrobial mechanism of antimicrobials make them a promising substitute for antibiotics for fighting drug-resistant bacteria. Both melittin and thanatin have antimicrobial bioactivity. However, thanatin does not inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Melittin can inhibit S. aureus and has strong hemolytic activity. In the present study, the mutant fragments of melittin and thanatin were combined by flexible peptides to form a novel hybrid peptide, which was synthesized based on the secondary and tertiary structure prediction. The hybrid peptide inhibited S. aureus with a hemolytic concentration of above 45 μmol/L and inhibition rate in SMMC-7721 cells of 19.14%. The hybrid antimicrobial peptide, which was designed by the combination of α-helix and β-lamellar antimicrobial peptides, showed that both types of peptides did not interact with each either on spatial structure or biological activities, thereby providing a novel idea for the design of artificial antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
|