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Bellucci MC, Romani C, Sani M, Volonterio A. Dual Antibiotic Approach: Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Antibiotic-Antimicrobial Peptide Conjugates. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:783. [PMID: 39200083 PMCID: PMC11352213 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13080783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has become a major concern in the medical field. The global misuse of antibiotics in clinics, personal use, and agriculture has accelerated this resistance, making infections increasingly difficult to treat and rendering new antibiotics ineffective more quickly. Finding new antibiotics is challenging due to the complexity of bacterial mechanisms, high costs and low financial incentives for the development of new molecular scaffolds, and stringent regulatory requirements. Additionally, innovation has slowed, with many new antibiotics being modifications of existing drugs rather than entirely new classes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a valid alternative to small-molecule antibiotics offering several advantages, including broad-spectrum activity and a lower likelihood of inducing resistance due to their multifaceted mechanisms of action. However, AMPs face challenges such as stability issues in physiological conditions, potential toxicity to human cells, high production costs, and difficulties in large-scale manufacturing. A reliable strategy to overcome the drawbacks associated with the use of small-molecule antibiotics and AMPs is combination therapy, namely the simultaneous co-administration of two or more antibiotics or the synthesis of covalently linked conjugates. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on the development of antibiotic-AMP conjugates, with a particular emphasis on critically analyzing the design and synthetic strategies employed in their creation. In addition to the synthesis, the review will also explore the reported antibacterial activity of these conjugates and, where available, examine any data concerning their cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Bellucci
- Department of Food, Environmental, and Nutritional Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20131 Milano, Italy;
| | - Carola Romani
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy;
| | - Monica Sani
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimica “G. Natta” (SCITEC), Via Mario Bianco 9, 20131 Milano, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Volonterio
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy;
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Fontanot A, Ellinger I, Unger WWJ, Hays JP. A Comprehensive Review of Recent Research into the Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides on Biofilms-January 2020 to September 2023. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:343. [PMID: 38667019 PMCID: PMC11047476 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13040343] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial biofilm formation creates a persistent and resistant environment in which microorganisms can survive, contributing to antibiotic resistance and chronic inflammatory diseases. Increasingly, biofilms are caused by multi-drug resistant microorganisms, which, coupled with a diminishing supply of effective antibiotics, is driving the search for new antibiotic therapies. In this respect, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are short, hydrophobic, and amphipathic peptides that show activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm formation. They also possess broad-spectrum activity and diverse mechanisms of action. In this comprehensive review, 150 publications (from January 2020 to September 2023) were collected and categorized using the search terms 'polypeptide antibiotic agent', 'antimicrobial peptide', and 'biofilm'. During this period, a wide range of natural and synthetic AMPs were studied, of which LL-37, polymyxin B, GH12, and Nisin were the most frequently cited. Furthermore, although many microbes were studied, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most popular. Publications also considered AMP combinations and the potential role of AMP delivery systems in increasing the efficacy of AMPs, including nanoparticle delivery. Relatively few publications focused on AMP resistance. This comprehensive review informs and guides researchers about the latest developments in AMP research, presenting promising evidence of the role of AMPs as effective antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Fontanot
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.F.); (W.W.J.U.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Isabella Ellinger
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Wendy W. J. Unger
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.F.); (W.W.J.U.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John P. Hays
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Centre (Erasmus MC), Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (A.F.); (W.W.J.U.)
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He S, Deber CM. Interaction of designed cationic antimicrobial peptides with the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1894. [PMID: 38253659 PMCID: PMC10803810 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51716-1] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The outer membrane (OM) is a hallmark feature of gram-negative bacteria that provides the species with heightened resistance against antibiotic threats while cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) are natural antibiotics broadly recognized for their ability to disrupt bacterial membranes. It has been well-established that lipopolysaccharides present on the OM are among major targets of CAP activity against gram-negative species. Here we investigate how the relative distribution of charged residues along the primary peptide sequence, in conjunction with its overall hydrophobicity, affects such peptide-OM interactions in the natural CAP Ponericin W1. Using a designed peptide library derived from Ponericin W1, we determined that the consecutive placement of Lys residues at the peptide N- or C-terminus (ex. "PonN": KKKKKKWLGSALIGALLPSVVGLFQ) enhances peptide binding affinity to OM lipopolysaccharides compared to constructs where Lys residues are interspersed throughout the primary sequence (ex. "PonAmp": WLKKALKIGAKLLPSVVKLFKGSGQ). Antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was similarly found to be highest among Lys-clustered sequences. Our findings suggest that while native Ponericin W1 exerts its initial activity at the OM, Lys-clustering may be a promising means to enhance potency towards this interface, thereby augmenting peptide entry and activity at the IM, with apparent advantage against multidrug-resistant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley He
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Charles M Deber
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Botelho Sampaio de Oliveira K, Lopes Leite M, Albuquerque Cunha V, Brito da Cunha N, Luiz Franco O. Challenges and advances in antimicrobial peptide development. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103629. [PMID: 37230283 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Microbial resistance is a major concern for public health worldwide, mainly because of the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. In this scenario, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a potential therapeutic alternative means by which to control infectious diseases, because of their broad spectrum of action. However, some challenges can make their clinical application problematic, including metabolic instability and toxicity. Here, we provide a clear description of AMPs as promising molecules for the development of unusual antimicrobial drugs. We also describe current strategies used to overcome the main difficulties related to AMP clinical application, including different peptide designs and nanoformulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Botelho Sampaio de Oliveira
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Michel Lopes Leite
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Bloco K, 70.790-900, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Victor Albuquerque Cunha
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Nicolau Brito da Cunha
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasilia, Brazil.
| | - Octávio Luiz Franco
- Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Pós-graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Pós-graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
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