1
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Shao C, Wang Y, Li G, Guan H, Zhu Y, Zhang L, Dong N, Shan A. Novel design of simplified β-hairpin antimicrobial peptide as a potential food preservative based on Trp-pocket backbone. Food Chem 2024; 448:139128. [PMID: 38574714 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139128] [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: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Food contamination from microbial deterioration requires the development of potent antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The deployment of approved AMPs as dietary preservatives is limited due to barriers such as instability, toxicity, and high synthetic costs. This exploration utilizes the primary structural elements of the Trp-pocket backbone to engineer a series of β-hairpin AMPs (XWRWRPGXKXXR-NH2, X representing I, V, F, and/or L). Peptides WpLF, with Phe as X and Leu arranged at the 11th position, demonstrated exceptional selectivity index (SI = 123.08) and sterilization effects both in vitro and in vivo. WpLF consistently exhibited stable bacteriostasis, regardless of physiological salts, serum, and extreme pH. Mechanistic analysis indicated that the peptide penetrates microbial cell membranes, inducing membrane disruption, thereby impeding drug resistance evolution. Conclusively, AMPs engineered by the Trp-pocket skeleton hold substantial potential as innovative biological preservatives in food preservation, providing valuable insights for sustainable and safe peptide-based food preservatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxuan Shao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yuanmengxue Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Guoyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Hongrui Guan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yongjie Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Licong Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Na Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Anshan Shan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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2
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Chen M, Hu Z, Shi J, Xie Z. Human β-defensins and their synthetic analogs: Natural defenders and prospective new drugs of oral health. Life Sci 2024; 346:122591. [PMID: 38548013 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122591] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
As a family of cationic host defense peptides, human β-defensins (HBDs) are ubiquitous in the oral cavity and are mainly synthesized primarily by epithelial cells, serving as the primary barrier and aiming to prevent microbial invasion, inflammation, and disease while maintaining physiological homeostasis. In recent decades, there has been great interest in their biological functions, structure-activity relationships, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential in oral diseases. Meanwhile, researchers are dedicated to improving the properties of HBDs for clinical application. In this review, we first describe the classification, structural characteristics, functions, and mechanisms of HBDs. Next, we cover the role of HBDs and their synthetic analogs in oral diseases, including dental caries and pulp infections, periodontitis, peri-implantitis, fungal/viral infections and oral mucosal diseases, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Finally, we discuss the limitations and challenges of clinical translation of HBDs and their synthetic analogs, including, but not limited to, stability, bioavailability, antimicrobial activity, resistance, and toxicity. Above all, this review summarizes the biological functions, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic potential of both natural HBDs and their synthetic analogs in oral diseases, as well as the challenges associated with clinical translation, thus providing substantial insights into the laboratory development and clinical application of HBDs in oral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mumian Chen
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Zihe Hu
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Jue Shi
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Zhijian Xie
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China.
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3
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Deng B, Zhang J, Zhang X, Wang D, Cheng L, Su P, Yu T, Bao G, Li G, Hong L, Miao X, Yang W, Wang R, Xie J. Novel Peptide DR3penA as a Low-Toxicity Antirenal Fibrosis Agent by Suppressing the TGF-β1/miR-212-5p/Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Class a Domain Containing 4/Smad Axis. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1126-1141. [PMID: 38633584 PMCID: PMC11020069 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00010] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a complex pathological process that contributes to the development of chronic kidney disease due to various risk factors. Conservative treatment to curb progression without dialysis or renal transplantation is widely applicable, but its effectiveness is limited. Here, the inhibitory effect of the novel peptide DR3penA (DHα-(4-pentenyl)-AlaNPQIR-NH2), which was developed by our group, on renal fibrosis was assessed in cells and mice with established fibrosis and fibrosis triggered by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), unilateral ureteral obstruction, and repeated low-dose cisplatin. DR3penA preserved renal function and ameliorated renal fibrosis at a dose approximately 100 times lower than that of captopril, which is currently used in the clinic. DR3penA also significantly reduced existing fibrosis and showed similar efficacy after subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection. Mechanistically, DR3penA repressed TGF-β1 signaling via miR-212-5p targeting of low-density lipoprotein receptor class a domain containing 4, which interacts with Smad2/3. In addition to having good pharmacological effects, DR3penA could preferentially target injured kidneys and exhibited low toxicity in acute and chronic toxicity experiments. These results unveil the advantages of DR3penA regarding efficacy and toxicity, making it a potential candidate compound for renal fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bochuan Deng
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Medical
Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- School
of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University
Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ping Su
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tingli Yu
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Guangjun Bao
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Guofeng Li
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University
Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Liang Hong
- Guangdong
Provincial Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecular and Drug Discovery,
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen
University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaokang Miao
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wenle Yang
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Institute
of Materia Medica and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union
Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key
Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School
of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science,
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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4
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Yang P, Mao W, Zhang J, Yang Y, Zhang F, Ouyang X, Li B, Wu X, Ba Z, Ran K, Tian Y, Liu H, Zhang Y, Gou S, Zhong C, Ni J. A novel antimicrobial peptide with broad-spectrum and exceptional stability derived from the natural peptide Brevicidine. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 269:116337. [PMID: 38537511 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116337] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The global issue of antibiotic resistance is increasingly severe, highlighting the urgent necessity for the development of new antibiotics. Brevicidine, a natural cyclic lipopeptide, exhibits remarkable antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, a comprehensive structure-activity relationship of Brevicidine was investigated through 20 newly synthesized cyclic lipopeptide analogs, resulting in the identification of an optimal linear analog 22. The sequence of analog 22 consisted of five d-amino acids and four non-natural amino acid 2,5-diaminovaleric acid (Orn) and conjugated with decanoic acid at N-terminal. Compared to Brevicidine, analog 22 was easier to synthesize, and exerted broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and excellent stability (t1/2 = 40.98 h). Additionally, analog 22 demonstrated a rapid bactericidal effect by permeating non-specifically through the bacterial membranes, thereby minimizing the likelihood of inducing resistance. Moreover, it exhibited remarkable efficacy in combating bacterial biofilms and reversing bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics. Furthermore, it effectively suppressed the growth of bacteria in vital organs of mice infected with S. aureus ATCC 25923. In conclusion, analog 22 may represent a potential antimicrobial peptide for further optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Wenbo Mao
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Yinyin Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Fangyan Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xu Ouyang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Beibei Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Zufang Ba
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Kaixin Ran
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Yali Tian
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, PR China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, PR China
| | - Sanhu Gou
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, PR China
| | - Chao Zhong
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, PR China.
| | - Jingman Ni
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, PR China.
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5
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Wang M, Liao Z, Zhangsun D, Wu Y, Luo S. Engineering Enhanced Antimicrobial Properties in α-Conotoxin RgIA through D-Type Amino Acid Substitution and Incorporation of Lysine and Leucine Residues. Molecules 2024; 29:1181. [PMID: 38474693 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051181] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), acknowledged as host defense peptides, constitute a category of predominant cationic peptides prevalent in diverse life forms. This study explored the antibacterial activity of α-conotoxin RgIA, and to enhance its stability and efficacy, D-amino acid substitution was employed, resulting in the synthesis of nine RgIA mutant analogs. Results revealed that several modified RgIA mutants displayed inhibitory efficacy against various pathogenic bacteria and fungi, including Candida tropicalis and Escherichia coli. Mechanistic investigations elucidated that these polypeptides achieved antibacterial effects through the disruption of bacterial cell membranes. The study further assessed the designed peptides' hemolytic activity, cytotoxicity, and safety. Mutants with antibacterial activity exhibited lower hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity, with Pep 8 demonstrating favorable safety in mice. RgIA mutants incorporating D-amino acids exhibited notable stability and adaptability, sustaining antibacterial properties across diverse environmental conditions. This research underscores the potential of the peptide to advance innovative oral antibiotics, offering a novel approach to address bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghe Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Special Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhouyuji Liao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Special Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Dongting Zhangsun
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Special Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Special Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Sulan Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Special Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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6
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Xu B, Wang L, Yang C, Yan R, Zhang P, Jin M, Du H, Wang Y. Specifically targeted antimicrobial peptides synergize with bacterial-entrapping peptide against systemic MRSA infections. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00036-5. [PMID: 38266820 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.023] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The design of precision antimicrobials aims to personalize the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections and avoid host microbiota dysbiosis. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to propose an efficient de novo design strategy to obtain specifically targeted antimicrobial peptides (STAMPs) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS We evaluated three strategies designed to increase the selectivity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for MRSA and mainly adopted an advanced hybrid peptide strategy. First, we proposed a traversal design to generate sequences, and constructed machine learning models to predict the anti-S. aureus activity levels of unknown peptides. Subsequently, six peptides were predicted to have high activity, among which, a broad-spectrum AMP (P18) was selected. Finally, the two targeting peptides from phage display libraries or lysostaphin were used to confer specific anti-S. aureus activity to P18. STAMPs were further screened out from hybrid peptides based on their in vitro and in vivo activities. RESULTS An advanced hybrid peptide strategy can enhance the specific and targeted properties of broad-spectrum AMPs. Among 25 assessed peptides, 10 passed in vitro tests, and two peptides containing one bacterial-entrapping peptide (BEP) and one STAMP passed an in vivo test. The lead STAMP (P18E6) disrupted MRSA cell walls and membranes, eliminated established biofilms, and exhibited desirable biocompatibility, systemic distribution and efficacy, and immunomodulatory activity in vivo. Furthermore, a bacterial-entrapping peptide (BEP, SP5) modified from P18, self-assembled into nanonetworks and rapidly entrapped MRSA. SP5 synergized with P18E6 to enhance antibacterial activity in vitro and reduced systemic MRSA infections. CONCLUSIONS This strategy may aid in the design of STAMPs against drug-resistant strains, and BEPs can serve as powerful STAMP adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bocheng Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Green Feed and Healthy Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern of China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Feed Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lin Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Green Feed and Healthy Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern of China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Feed Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310007, China
| | - Rong Yan
- National Engineering Research Center for Green Feed and Healthy Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern of China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Feed Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Pan Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingliang Jin
- National Engineering Research Center for Green Feed and Healthy Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern of China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Feed Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huahua Du
- National Engineering Research Center for Green Feed and Healthy Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern of China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Feed Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Yizhen Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Green Feed and Healthy Breeding, Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science (Eastern of China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Key Laboratory of Animal Feed and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Feed Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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7
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Okasha H, Dahroug H, Gouda AE, Shemis MA. A novel antibacterial approach of Cecropin-B peptide loaded on chitosan nanoparticles against MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Amino Acids 2023; 55:1965-1980. [PMID: 37966500 PMCID: PMC10724327 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-023-03356-4] [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: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Egypt has witnessed the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae, which has posed a serious healthcare challenge. The proper treatment choice for MDR-KP infections is not well determined which renders the problem more complicated, thus making the control of such infections a serious challenge for healthcare professionals. This study aims to encapsulate the cationic antimicrobial peptide; Cecropin-B (Cec-B), to increase its lifetime, drug targeting, and efficacy and study the antimicrobial effect of free and encapsulated recombinant rCec-B peptide on multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae (MDR-KP) isolates. Fifty isolates were collected from different clinical departments at Theodore Bilharz Research Institute. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of rCec-B against MDR-KP isolates were determined by the broth microdilution test. In addition, encapsulation of rCec-B peptide into chitosan nanoparticles and studying its bactericidal effect against MDR-KP isolates were also performed. The relative expression of efflux pump and porin coding genes (ArcrB, TolC, mtdK, and Ompk35) was detected by quantitative PCR in treated MDR-KP bacterial isolates compared to untreated isolates. Out of 60 clinical MDR isolates, 50 were MDR-KP. 60% of the isolates were XDR while 40% were MDR. rCec-B were bactericidal on 21 isolates, then these isolates were subjected to treatment using free nanocapsule in addition to the encapsulated peptide. Free capsules showed a mild cytotoxic effect on MDR-KP at the highest concentration. MIC of encapsulated rCec-B was higher than the free peptide. The expression level of genes encoding efflux and porin (ArcrB, TolC, mtdK, and Ompk35) was downregulated after treatment with encapsulated rCec-B. These findings indicate that encapsulated rCec-B is a promising candidate with potent antibacterial activities against drug-resistant K. pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend Okasha
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Heba Dahroug
- Microbiology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Abdullah E Gouda
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abbas Shemis
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
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8
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Mechesso AF, Su Y, Xie J, Wang G. Enhanced Antimicrobial Screening Sensitivity Enabled the Identification of an Ultrashort Peptide KR-8 for Engineering of LL-37mini to Combat Drug-Resistant Pathogens. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:2215-2225. [PMID: 37812567 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00293] [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: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Identification of novel antibiotics is of top importance because of the threat of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial screening in Mueller-Hinton broth is frequently the first step in antimicrobial discovery. Although widely utilized, this medium is not ideal as it could mask activity of candidates such as human cathelicidin LL-37 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study identified a sensitive medium where LL-37 displayed excellent activity against numerous pathogens, including MRSA. Our screen of ultrashort overlapping LL-37 peptides in this medium led to the identification of KR-8, four residues shorter than KR-12. Hence, our screen condition may increase positive compound hits during antimicrobial screening. KR-8 provided an appealing template for us to design LL-37mini, which was potent against MRSA, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but not toxic to mammalian cells. LL-37mini also inhibited bacterial attachment and biofilm formation and disrupted preformed biofilms in vitro and killed MRSA in murine wound biofilms in vivo. Consistent with membrane targeting, MRSA failed to develop resistance to LL-37mini in a multiple-passage experiment. Because LL-37mini can be made cost effectively, it can be developed into new antibiofilm and antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Fikru Mechesso
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Yajuan Su
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Jingwei Xie
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
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9
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Wang G. The antimicrobial peptide database is 20 years old: Recent developments and future directions. Protein Sci 2023; 32:e4778. [PMID: 37695921 PMCID: PMC10535814 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4778] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
In 2023, the Antimicrobial Peptide Database (currently available at https://aps.unmc.edu) is 20-years-old. The timeline for the APD expansion in peptide entries, classification methods, search functions, post-translational modifications, binding targets, and mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) has been summarized in our previous Protein Science paper. This article highlights new database additions and findings. To facilitate antimicrobial development to combat drug-resistant pathogens, the APD has been re-annotating the data for antibacterial activity (active, inactive, and uncertain), toxicity (hemolytic and nonhemolytic AMPs), and salt tolerance (salt sensitive and insensitive). Comparison of the respective desired and undesired AMP groups produces new knowledge for peptide design. Our unification of AMPs from the six life kingdoms into "natural AMPs" enabled the first comparison with globular or transmembrane proteins. Due to the dominance of amphipathic helical and disulfide-linked peptides, cysteine, glycine, and lysine in natural AMPs are much more abundant than those in globular proteins. To include peptides predicted by machine learning, a new "predicted" group has been created. Remarkably, the averaged amino acid composition of predicted peptides is located between the lower bound of natural AMPs and the upper bound of synthetic peptides. Synthetic peptides in the current APD, with the highest cationic and hydrophobic amino acid percentages, are mostly designed with varying degrees of optimization. Hence, natural AMPs accumulated in the APD over 20 years have laid the foundation for machine learning prediction. We discuss future directions for peptide discovery. It is anticipated that the APD will continue to play a role in research and education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
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10
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Ganesan N, Mishra B, Felix L, Mylonakis E. Antimicrobial Peptides and Small Molecules Targeting the Cell Membrane of Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2023; 87:e0003722. [PMID: 37129495 PMCID: PMC10304793 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00037-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical management of Staphylococcus aureus infections presents a challenge due to the high incidence, considerable virulence, and emergence of drug resistance mechanisms. The treatment of drug-resistant strains, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is further complicated by the development of tolerance and persistence to antimicrobial agents in clinical use. To address these challenges, membrane disruptors, that are not generally considered during drug discovery for agents against S. aureus, should be explored. The cell membrane protects S. aureus from external stresses and antimicrobial agents, but membrane-targeting antimicrobial agents are probably less likely to promote bacterial resistance. Nontypical linear cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), highly modified AMPs such as daptomycin (lipopeptide), bacitracin (cyclic peptide), and gramicidin S (cyclic peptide), are currently in clinical use. Recent studies have demonstrated that AMPs and small molecules can penetrate the cell membrane of S. aureus, inhibit phospholipid biosynthesis, or block the passage of solutes between the periplasm and the exterior of the cell. In addition to their primary mechanism of action (MOA) that targets the bacterial membrane, AMPs and small molecules may also impact bacteria through secondary mechanisms such as targeting the biofilm, and downregulating virulence genes of S. aureus. In this review, we discuss the current state of research into cell membrane-targeting AMPs and small molecules and their potential mechanisms of action against drug-resistant physiological forms of S. aureus, including persister cells and biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narchonai Ganesan
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - LewisOscar Felix
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Eleftherios Mylonakis
- Infectious Diseases Division, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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11
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Sowers A, Wang G, Xing M, Li B. Advances in Antimicrobial Peptide Discovery via Machine Learning and Delivery via Nanotechnology. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1129. [PMID: 37317103 PMCID: PMC10223199 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been investigated for their potential use as an alternative to antibiotics due to the increased demand for new antimicrobial agents. AMPs, widely found in nature and obtained from microorganisms, have a broad range of antimicrobial protection, allowing them to be applied in the treatment of infections caused by various pathogenic microorganisms. Since these peptides are primarily cationic, they prefer anionic bacterial membranes due to electrostatic interactions. However, the applications of AMPs are currently limited owing to their hemolytic activity, poor bioavailability, degradation from proteolytic enzymes, and high-cost production. To overcome these limitations, nanotechnology has been used to improve AMP bioavailability, permeation across barriers, and/or protection against degradation. In addition, machine learning has been investigated due to its time-saving and cost-effective algorithms to predict AMPs. There are numerous databases available to train machine learning models. In this review, we focus on nanotechnology approaches for AMP delivery and advances in AMP design via machine learning. The AMP sources, classification, structures, antimicrobial mechanisms, their role in diseases, peptide engineering technologies, currently available databases, and machine learning techniques used to predict AMPs with minimal toxicity are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Sowers
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
- School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Malcolm Xing
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Bingyun Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
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12
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Li G, Lai Z, Shan A. Advances of Antimicrobial Peptide-Based Biomaterials for the Treatment of Bacterial Infections. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206602. [PMID: 36722732 PMCID: PMC10104676 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the increase in multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates in hospitals globally and the lack of truly effective antimicrobial agents, antibiotic resistant bacterial infections have increased substantially. There is thus an urgent need to develop new antimicrobial drugs and their related formulations. In recent years, natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), AMP optimization, self-assembled AMPs, AMP hydrogels, and biomaterial-assisted delivery of AMPs have shown great potential in the treatment of bacterial infections. In this review, it is focused on the development prospects and shortcomings of various AMP-based biomaterials for treating animal model infections, such as abdominal, skin, and eye infections. It is hoped that this review will inspire further innovations in the design of AMP-based biomaterials for the treatment of bacterial infections and accelerate their commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyu Li
- The Institute of Animal NutritionNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbin150030P. R. China
| | - Zhenheng Lai
- The Institute of Animal NutritionNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbin150030P. R. China
| | - Anshan Shan
- The Institute of Animal NutritionNortheast Agricultural UniversityHarbin150030P. R. China
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13
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Zheng P, Li R, Li F, Wang R, Qian S. Exploration of Biological Properties and Antibacterial Action against
Escherichia coli
and
Staphylococcus aureus
of (LLKK)
3
‐Derived Peptides. ChemistrySelect 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202300355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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14
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Hazam PK, Cheng CC, Lin WC, Hsieh CY, Hsu PH, Chen YR, Li CC, Hsueh PR, Chen JY. Strategic modification of low-activity natural antimicrobial peptides confers antibacterial potential in vitro and in vivo. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 249:115131. [PMID: 36669399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show great promise for clinical applications, but the utility of naturally occurring AMPs is often limited by their stability. Here, we used a rational design approach to improve the characteristics of a pair of inactive peptides, tilapia piscidin 1 and 2 (TP1 and TP2). From each starting peptide, we generated a series of novel derivatives by substituting residues to adjust cationic charge density, percent hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity coefficients. This approach yielded a novel peptide, TP2-5 (KKCIAKAILKKAKKLLKKLVNP), that exhibits significant bactericidal potency, low cytotoxicity and high stability. The designed peptide further showed antibiofilm activity, rapid antibacterial action and a low capacity to induce bacterial resistance. Importantly, we also demonstrated that TP2-5 can protect mice in a Vibrio vulnificus-infected wound model. Therefore, our peptide modification strategy successfully generated a novel AMP with high potential for future clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kishore Hazam
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dahuen Rd., Jiaushi, Ilan, 262, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Cheng
- Institute of Fisheries Science, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Road, Sec. 4, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chun Lin
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dahuen Rd., Jiaushi, Ilan, 262, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Yi Hsieh
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dahuen Rd., Jiaushi, Ilan, 262, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsien Hsu
- Institute of Fisheries Science, National Taiwan University, 1 Roosevelt Road, Sec. 4, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ru Chen
- Academia Sinica Protein Clinic, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang District, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Chin Li
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ren Hsueh
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; PhD Program for Aging, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Yih Chen
- Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 23-10, Dahuen Rd., Jiaushi, Ilan, 262, Taiwan; The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center and the Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan.
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15
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He Q, Yang Z, Zou Z, Qian M, Wang X, Zhang X, Yin Z, Wang J, Ye X, Liu D, Guo M. Combating Escherichia coli O157:H7 with Functionalized Chickpea-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205301. [PMID: 36563134 PMCID: PMC9951321 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The rapid dissemination of antibiotic resistance accelerates the desire for new antibacterial agents. Here, a class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is designed by modifying the structural parameters of a natural chickpea-derived AMP-Leg2, termed "functionalized chickpea-derived Leg2 antimicrobial peptides" (FCLAPs). Among the FCLAPs, KTA and KTR show superior antibacterial efficacy against the foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 (with MICs in the range of 2.5-4.7 µmol L-1 ) and demonstrate satisfactory feasibility in alleviating E. coli O157:H7-induced intestinal infection. Additionally, the low cytotoxicity along with insusceptibility to antimicrobial resistance increases the potential of FCLAPs as appealing antimicrobials. Combining the multi-omics profiling andpeptide-membrane interaction assays, a unique dual-targeting mode of action is characterized. To specify the antibacterial mechanism, microscopical observations, membrane-related physicochemical properties studies, and mass spectrometry assays are further performed. Data indicate that KTA and KTR induce membrane damage by initially targeting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thus promoting the peptides to traverse the outer membrane. Subsequently, the peptides intercalate into the peptidoglycan (PGN) layer, blocking its synthesis, and causing a collapse of membrane structure. These findings altogether imply the great potential of KTA and KTR as promising antibacterial candidates in combating the growing threat of E. coli O157:H7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao He
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Zhehao Yang
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Zhipeng Zou
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Mengyan Qian
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Xiaolei Wang
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Xinhui Zhang
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Zhongping Yin
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products and Functional FoodsJiangxi Agricultural UniversityNanchangJiangxi Province330045P. R. China
| | - Jinhai Wang
- Department of Colorectal SurgeryThe First Affiliated HospitalCollege of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Xingqian Ye
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
- Fuli Institute of Food ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Donghong Liu
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
- Fuli Institute of Food ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
| | - Mingming Guo
- College of Biosystems Engineering and Food ScienceNational‐Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Intelligent Food Technology and EquipmentZhejiang Key Laboratory for Agro‐Food ProcessingZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
- Fuli Institute of Food ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang Province310058P. R. China
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16
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Guo X, Yan T, Rao J, An Y, Yue X, Miao X, Wang R, Sun W, Cai J, Xie J. Novel Feleucin-K3-Derived Peptides Modified with Sulfono-γ-AA Building Blocks Targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1254-1272. [PMID: 36350686 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections has led to dramatically increased morbidity and mortality. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have great potential as new therapeutic agents to reverse this dangerous trend. Herein, a series of novel AMP Feleucin-K3 analogues modified with unnatural peptidomimetic sulfono-γ-AA building blocks were designed and synthesized. The structure-activity, structure-toxicity, and structure-stability relationships were investigated to discover the optimal antimicrobial candidates. Among them, K122 exhibited potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and high selectivity. K122 had a rapid bactericidal effect and a low tendency to induce resistance. Surprisingly, K122 showed excellent effectiveness against bacterial pneumonia. For biofilm and local skin infections, K122 significantly decreased the bacterial load and improved tissue injury at a dose of only 0.25 mg/kg, which was 160 times lower than the concentration deemed to be safe for local dermal applications. In summary, K122 is an outstanding candidate for the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Tiantian Yan
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Jing Rao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Yingying An
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Xin Yue
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Xiaokang Miao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing100050, China
| | - Wangsheng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Jianfeng Cai
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida33620, United States
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences & Research Unit of Peptide Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU066, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
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17
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Huang J, Xu Y, Xue Y, Huang Y, Li X, Chen X, Xu Y, Zhang D, Zhang P, Zhao J, Ji J. Identification of potent antimicrobial peptides via a machine-learning pipeline that mines the entire space of peptide sequences. Nat Biomed Eng 2023:10.1038/s41551-022-00991-2. [PMID: 36635418 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-022-00991-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Systematically identifying functional peptides is difficult owing to the vast combinatorial space of peptide sequences. Here we report a machine-learning pipeline that mines the hundreds of billions of sequences in the entire virtual library of peptides made of 6-9 amino acids to identify potent antimicrobial peptides. The pipeline consists of trainable machine-learning modules (for performing empirical selection, classification, ranking and regression tasks) assembled sequentially following a coarse-to-fine design principle to gradually narrow down the search space. The leading three antimicrobial hexapeptides identified by the pipeline showed strong activities against a wide range of clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant pathogens. In mice with bacterial pneumonia, aerosolized formulations of the identified peptides showed therapeutic efficacy comparable to penicillin, negligible toxicity and a low propensity to induce drug resistance. The machine-learning pipeline may accelerate the discovery of new functional peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,International Research Center for X Polymers, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Yanchao Xu
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunfan Xue
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,International Research Center for X Polymers, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Yue Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xu Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yao Xu
- R&D Department of AtaGenix Laboratories Co., Ltd. (Wuhan), Wuhan, China
| | - Dongxiang Zhang
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,International Research Center for X Polymers, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, China.
| | - Junbo Zhao
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jian Ji
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,International Research Center for X Polymers, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining, China.
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18
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Yu W, Sun Y, Li W, Guo X, Liu X, Wu W, Yu W, Wang J, Shan A. Self-Assembly of Antimicrobial Peptide-Based Micelles Breaks the Limitation of Trypsin. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:494-510. [PMID: 36577517 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c17941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Targeting the limitation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) application in vivo, self-assembled AMPs library with specific nanostructures is expected to gradually overtake monomer AMPs libraries in the future. Peptide polymers are fascinating self-assembling nanoscale structures that have great advantage in biomedical applications because of their satisfactory biocompatibility and versatile properties. Herein, we describe a strategy for inducing the self-assembly of T9W into nanostructured antimicrobial micelles with evidently improved pharmacological properties, that is, PEGylation at the C-terminal of T9W (CT9W1000), an antibacterial biomaterial that self-assembles in aqueous media without exogenous excipients, has been developed. Compared with parental molecular, the CT9W1000 is more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and its antibacterial spectrum had also been broadened. Additionally, CT9W1000 micelles had higher stability under salt ion, serum, and acid-base environments. Importantly, the self-assembled structure is highly resistant to trypsin degradation, probably allowing T9W to be applied in clinical settings in the future. Mechanistically, by acting on membranes and through supplementary bactericidal mechanisms, CT9W1000 micelles contribute to the antibacterial process. Collectively, CT9W1000 micelles exhibited good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, resulting in highly effective treatment in a mouse acute lung injury model induced by P. aeruginosa PAO1 without drug resistance. These advances may profoundly accelerate the clinical transformation of T9W and promote the development of a combination of peptide-based antibiotics and PEGylated nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Yu Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Wenyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xu Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xuesheng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Wanpeng Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Wanqi Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Anshan Shan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
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19
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John JV, Sharma NS, Tang G, Luo Z, Su Y, Weihs S, Shahriar SMS, Wang G, McCarthy A, Dyke J, Zhang YS, Khademhosseini A, Xie J. Nanofiber Aerogels with Precision Macrochannels and LL-37-Mimic Peptides Synergistically Promote Diabetic Wound Healing. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2023; 33:2206936. [PMID: 36714167 PMCID: PMC9881731 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202206936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Fast healing of diabetic wounds remains a major clinical challenge. Herein, this work reports a strategy to combine nanofiber aerogels containing precision macrochannels and the LL-37-mimic peptide W379 for rapid diabetic wound healing. Nanofiber aerogels consisting of poly(glycolide-co-lactide) (PGLA 90:10)/gelatin and poly-p-dioxanone (PDO)/gelatin short electrospun fiber segments were prepared by partially anisotropic freeze-drying, crosslinking, and sacrificial templating with three-dimensional (3D)-printed meshes, exhibiting nanofibrous architecture and precision micro-/macrochannels. Like human cathelicidin LL-37, W379 peptide at a concentration of 3 μg/mL enhanced the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts in a cell scratch assay and a proliferation assay. In vivo studies show that nanofiber aerogels with precision macrochannels can greatly promote cell penetration compared to aerogels without macrochannels. Relative to control and aerogels with and without macrochannels, adding W379 peptides to aerogels with precision macrochannels shows the best efficacy in healing diabetic wounds in mice in terms of cell infiltration, neovascularization, and re-epithelialization. The fast re-epithelization could be due to upregulation of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p38 MAPK) after treatment with W379. Together, the approach developed in this work could be promising for the treatment of diabetic wounds and other chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnson V. John
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, United States
| | - Navatha Shree Sharma
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Guosheng Tang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Zeyu Luo
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Yajuan Su
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Shelbie Weihs
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - S. M. Shatil Shahriar
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Alec McCarthy
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Justin Dyke
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, United States
| | - Jingwei Xie
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
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20
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Decker AP, Mechesso AF, Zhou Y, Xu C, Wang G. Hydrophobic diversification is the key to simultaneously increased antifungal activity and decreased cytotoxicity of two ab initio designed peptides. Peptides 2022; 158:170880. [PMID: 36167253 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The fact that some antimicrobial peptides have been utilized clinically and as food preservatives stimulated the efforts in search of new candidates. In our previous studies, we succeeded in designing potent peptides against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), and Ebola viruses based on the database filtering technology. The designed peptides were proved highly potent. However, this ab initio method has not been utilized to design antifungal peptides. This study report two novel antifungal peptides with 21 and 15 amino acids designed by more effectively extracting the most probable parameters from ∼1200 antifungal peptides in the antimicrobial peptide database (APD). Subsequent hydrophobic diversification led to two peptide variants with enhanced activity against four fungal strains but reduced cytotoxicity to four mammalian cell lines. DFTAFP-1A (KWSGAAAKKLKSLLSGLGKLL) and DFTAFP-2A (KWSGLLLKLGAASKL) retained activity against Zygosaccharomyces bailii at pH 5.6 and 6.3 or after autoclave. The peptides could permeabilize fungal membranes and adopted helical conformations in membrane mimetic micelles. Collectively, this study demonstrated not only the successful design of two novel antifungal peptides based on the APD database but also optimization of desired peptide properties. This improved database approach may be utilized to design useful peptides to combat other drug-resistant pathogens as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P Decker
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA
| | - Abraham Fikru Mechesso
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA
| | - Yuzhen Zhou
- Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0963, USA
| | - Changmu Xu
- The Food Processing Center, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA.
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21
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Expanding the Landscape of Amino Acid-Rich Antimicrobial Peptides: Definition, Deployment in Nature, Implications for Peptide Design and Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112874. [PMID: 36361660 PMCID: PMC9658076 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike the α-helical and β-sheet antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), our knowledge on amino acid-rich AMPs is limited. This article conducts a systematic study of rich AMPs (>25%) from different life kingdoms based on the Antimicrobial Peptide Database (APD) using the program R. Of 3425 peptides, 724 rich AMPs were identified. Rich AMPs are more common in animals and bacteria than in plants. In different animal classes, a unique set of rich AMPs is deployed. While histidine, proline, and arginine-rich AMPs are abundant in mammals, alanine, glycine, and leucine-rich AMPs are common in amphibians. Ten amino acids (Ala, Cys, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Pro, Arg, and Val) are frequently observed in rich AMPs, seven (Asp, Glu, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, and Tyr) are occasionally observed, and three (Met, Asn, and Gln) were not yet found. Leucine is much more frequent in forming rich AMPs than either valine or isoleucine. To date, no natural AMPs are simultaneously rich in leucine and lysine, while proline, tryptophan, and cysteine-rich peptides can simultaneously be rich in arginine. These findings can be utilized to guide peptide design. Since multiple candidates are potent against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, rich AMPs stand out as promising future antibiotics.
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22
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Shi J, Chen C, Wang D, Wang Z, Liu Y. The antimicrobial peptide LI14 combats multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Commun Biol 2022; 5:926. [PMID: 36071151 PMCID: PMC9452538 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens raises public fears of untreatable infections and represents a huge health risk. There is an urgent need to exploit novel antimicrobial agents. Due to the unique mechanisms, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with a low probability to achieve resistance are regarded as potential antibiotic alternatives to address this issue. Herein, we develop a panel of synthetic peptide compounds with novel structures based on the database filters technology (DFT), and the lead peptide LI14 shows potent antibacterial activity against all tested drug-resistant bacteria. LI14 exhibits rapid bactericidal activity and excellent anti-biofilm and -persisters activity, simultaneously showing a low propensity to induce resistance. Moreover, LI14 shows tolerance against pH, temperatures, and pepsin treatment, and no detectable toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that LI14 induces membrane damage by targeting bacterial-specific membrane components and dissipates the proton motive force (PMF), thereby resulting in metabolic perturbations and the accumulation of toxic metabolic products. Furthermore, LI14 sensitizes clinically relevant antibiotics against MDR bacteria. In animal models of infection, LI14 or combined with antibiotics are effective against drug-resistant pathogens. These findings suggest that LI14 is a promising antibiotic candidate to tackle MDR bacterial infections. A synthetic peptide LI14 demonstrates potent antibacterial activity against drug-resistant bacteria in vitro and in vivo by inducing membrane damage and disrupting membrane potential leading to metabolic perturbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Chen Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Dejuan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. .,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. .,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
| | - Yuan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. .,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. .,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. .,Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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23
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Wu Q, Mishra B, Wang G. Linearized teixobactin is inactive and after sequence enhancement, kills methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus via a different mechanism. Pept Sci (Hoboken) 2022; 114:e24269. [PMID: 36249542 PMCID: PMC9564113 DOI: 10.1002/pep2.24269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a highly adaptable pathogen that can rapidly develop resistance to conventional antibiotics such as penicillin. Recently, teixobactin was discovered from uncultivated soil bacteria by using the i-chip technology. This depsipeptide forms an ester bond between the backbone C-terminal isoleucine carboxylic acid and the hydroxyl group of threonine at position 8. Also, it contains multiple nonstandard amino acids, making it costly to synthesize. This study reports new peptides designed by linearizing teixobactin. After linearization and conversion to normal amino acids, teixobactin lost its antibacterial activity. Using this inactive template, a series of peptides were designed via hydrophobic patching and residue replacements. Three out of the five peptides were active. YZ105, only active against Gram-positive bacteria, however, showed the highest cell selectivity index. Different from teixobactin, which inhibits cell wall synthesis, YZ105 targeted the membranes of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) based on kinetic killing, membrane permeation, depolarization, and scanning electron microscopy studies. Moreover, YZ105 could kill nafcillin-resistant MRSA, Staphylococcal clinical strains, and disrupted preformed biofilms. Taken together, YZ105, with a simpler sequence, is a promising lead for developing novel anti-MRSA agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhui Wu
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of MedicineUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
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24
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He T, Xu L, Hu Y, Tang X, Qu R, Zhao X, Bai H, Li L, Chen W, Luo G, Fu G, Wang W, Xia X, Zhang J. Lysine-Tethered Stable Bicyclic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide Combats Bacterial Infection in Vivo. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10523-10533. [PMID: 35920072 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted great attention as next generation antibiotics for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. Poor proteolytic stability has however undermined clinical applications of AMPs. A novel peptide cyclization approach is described to enhance the in vivo antibacterial activity of AMPs. Bicyclic antimicrobial peptides were synthesized by cross-linking the ε-amino groups of three lysine residues with a 1,3,5-trimethylene benzene spacer. In a proof of principal study, four bicyclic peptides were synthesized from the cationic AMP OH-CM6. One bicyclic peptide retained strong antimicrobial activity and low toxicity but exhibited a prolonged half-life in serum. Antibacterial activity was consequently improved in vivo without renal or hepato-toxicity. The novel peptide cyclization approach represents an important tool for enhancing AMP proteolytic stability for improved treatment of bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuchen Hu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Qu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixian Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanyi Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangli Luo
- Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Fu
- Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Xia
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing University Industrial Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 401329, People's Republic of China
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25
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Design and Evaluation of Short Bovine Lactoferrin-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides against Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecium. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11081085. [PMID: 36009954 PMCID: PMC9404989 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11081085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococcus faecium has become an important drug-resistant nosocomial pathogen because of widespread antibiotic abuse. We developed short and chemically simple antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with a selective amino acid composition, fixed charge, and hydrophobicity ratio based on the core antimicrobial motif of bovine lactoferrin (LfcinB6). Among these peptides, 5L and 6L (both 12 residues long) demonstrated a narrow spectrum and high antibacterial activity against drug-resistant E. faecium isolates with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) that ranged from 4–16 µg/mL. At 32 µg/mL, peptides 5L and 6L inhibited E. faecium strain C68 biofilm formation by 90% and disrupted established biofilms by 75%. At 40 µg/mL, 5L reduced 1 × 107E. faecium persister cells by 3 logs within 120 min of exposure, whereas 6L eliminated all persister cells within 60 min. At 0.5× MIC, 5L and 6L significantly downregulated the expression of a crucial biofilm gene ace by 8 folds (p = 0.02) and 4 folds (p = 0.01), respectively. At 32 µg/mL, peptides 5L and 6L both depolarized the E. faecium membrane, increased fluidity, and eventually ruptured the membrane. Physiologically, 5L (at 8 µg/mL) altered the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glutathione, and purine metabolism. Interestingly, in an ex vivo model of porcine skin infection, compared to no treatment, 5L (at 10× MIC) effectively eliminated all 1 × 106 exponential (p = 0.0045) and persister E. faecium cells (p = 0.0002). In conclusion, the study outlines a roadmap for developing narrow-spectrum selective AMPs and presents peptide 5L as a potential therapeutic candidate to be explored against E. faecium.
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26
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Li G, Yuan X, Chen H, Li B, Shao C, Zhu Y, Lai Z, Shan A. Optimization of Antibacterial Activity in Tibetan Swine α-Helix Peptide TP by Site-Directed Mutagenesis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:864374. [PMID: 35859740 PMCID: PMC9289672 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.864374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted extensive attention because of their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low level of induced bacterial resistance. However, the development of some natural AMPs does not consider the perfect balance of structural characteristics, resulting in some empirical and controversial practices still existing. To further explore and complete the relationship between parameters and function of α-helix peptide, in this study, the natural antimicrobial peptide TP secreted from Bacillus strain of Tibetan pigs was selected as a template to investigate the effect of systematic mutations in the hydrogen bond formation site of the α-helical antimicrobial peptide on the activity and cell selectivity of the antimicrobial peptide. The target peptide TP(i+4) 1&2&5 with modification of two pairs of positively charged amino acids and a pair of hydrophobic amino acids showed excellent antibacterial ability and the best selectivity index (SI = 64) in vitro. At the same time, TP(i+4) 1&2&5 remained active in the presence of physiological salts and serum. The results of fluorescence, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy showed that the optimized sequences showed good antibacterial activity by membrane infiltration and membrane destruction. The potential of TP(i+4) 1&2&5 in vivo was tested in a mouse peritonitis model. Organ bacterial loads in the liver, kidney, spleen, and lungs of mice treated with TP(i+4) 1&2&5 were significantly lower compared to the infected group (p < 0.05). Overall, these findings contribute to the design and optimization of antimicrobial peptides with high activity and low toxicity and may accelerate the clinical application of antimicrobial peptides.
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27
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Chen CH, Liu Y, Eskandari A, Ghimire J, Lin LC, Fang Z, Wimley WC, Ulmschneider JP, Suntharalingam K, Hu CJ, Ulmschneider MB. Integrated Design of a Membrane-Lytic Peptide-Based Intravenous Nanotherapeutic Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105506. [PMID: 35246961 PMCID: PMC9069370 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Membrane-lytic peptides offer broad synthetic flexibilities and design potential to the arsenal of anticancer therapeutics, which can be limited by cytotoxicity to noncancerous cells and induction of drug resistance via stress-induced mutagenesis. Despite continued research efforts on membrane-perforating peptides for antimicrobial applications, success in anticancer peptide therapeutics remains elusive given the muted distinction between cancerous and normal cell membranes and the challenge of peptide degradation and neutralization upon intravenous delivery. Using triple-negative breast cancer as a model, the authors report the development of a new class of anticancer peptides. Through function-conserving mutations, the authors achieved cancer cell selective membrane perforation, with leads exhibiting a 200-fold selectivity over non-cancerogenic cells and superior cytotoxicity over doxorubicin against breast cancer tumorspheres. Upon continuous exposure to the anticancer peptides at growth-arresting concentrations, cancer cells do not exhibit resistance phenotype, frequently observed under chemotherapeutic treatment. The authors further demonstrate efficient encapsulation of the anticancer peptides in 20 nm polymeric nanocarriers, which possess high tolerability and lead to effective tumor growth inhibition in a mouse model of MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer. This work demonstrates a multidisciplinary approach for enabling translationally relevant membrane-lytic peptides in oncology, opening up a vast chemical repertoire to the arms race against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H. Chen
- Department of ChemistryKing's College LondonLondonSE1 1DBUK
- Synthetic Biology GroupResearch Laboratory of ElectronicsMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA02139USA
| | - Yu‐Han Liu
- Institute of Biomedical SciencesAcademia SinicaTaipei115Taiwan
| | | | - Jenisha Ghimire
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLA70112USA
| | | | - Zih‐Syun Fang
- Institute of Biomedical SciencesAcademia SinicaTaipei115Taiwan
| | - William C. Wimley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane UniversityNew OrleansLA70112USA
| | - Jakob P. Ulmschneider
- Department of PhysicsInstitute of Natural SciencesShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240China
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28
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Liu M, Huang L, Zhang W, Wang X, Geng Y, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zhang W, Zhang YJ, Xiao S, Bao Y, Xiong M, Wang J. A transistor-like pH-sensitive nanodetergent for selective cancer therapy. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 17:541-551. [PMID: 35332294 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-022-01085-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Plasma membrane rupture is a promising strategy for drug-resistant cancer treatment, but its application is limited by the low tumour selectivity of membranolytic molecules. Here we report the design of 'proton transistor' nanodetergents that can convert the subtle pH perturbation signals of tumour tissues into sharp transition signals of membranolytic activity for selective cancer therapy. Our top-performing 'proton transistor' nanodetergent, P(C6-Bn20), can achieve a >32-fold change in cytotoxicity with a 0.1 pH input signal. At physiological pH, P(C6-Bn20) self-assembles into neutral nanoparticles with inactive membranolytic blocks shielded by poly(ethylene glycol) shells, exhibiting low toxicity. At tumour acidity, a sharp transition in its protonation state induces a morphological transformation and an activation of the membranolytic blocks, and the cation-π interaction facilitates the insertion of benzyl groups-containing hydrophobic domains into the cell membranes, resulting in potent membranolytic activity. P(C6-Bn20) is well tolerated in mice and shows high anti-tumour efficacy in various mouse tumour models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdong Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Liangqi Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Weinan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Xiaochuan Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Geng
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yuhao Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials and Engineering of the Ministry of Education, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yun-Jiao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shiyan Xiao
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, P. R. China.
| | - Yan Bao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
| | - Menghua Xiong
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
| | - Jun Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, and Innovation Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
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29
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Tan P, Tang Q, Xu S, Zhang Y, Fu H, Ma X. Designing Self-Assembling Chimeric Peptide Nanoparticles with High Stability for Combating Piglet Bacterial Infections. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2105955. [PMID: 35285170 PMCID: PMC9109057 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202105955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
As a novel type of antibiotic alternative, peptide-based antibacterial drug shows potential application prospects attributable to their unique mechanism for lysing the membrane of pathogenic bacteria. However, peptide-based antibacterial drugs suffer from a series of problems, most notably their immature stability, which seriously hinders their application. In this study, self-assembling chimeric peptide nanoparticles (which offer excellent stability in the presence of proteases and salts) are constructed and applied to the treatment of bacterial infections. In vitro studies are used to demonstrate that peptide nanoparticles NPs1 and NPs2 offer broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and desirable biocompatibility, and they retain their antibacterial ability in physiological salt environments. Peptide nanoparticles NPs1 and NPs2 can resist degradation under high concentrations of proteases. In vivo studies illustrate that the toxicity caused by peptide nanoparticles NPs1 and NPs2 is negligible, and these nanoparticles can alleviate systemic bacterial infections in mice and piglets. The membrane permeation mechanism and interference with the cell cycle differ from that of antibiotics and mean that the nanoparticles are at a lower risk of inducing drug resistance. Collectively, these advances may accelerate the development of peptide-based antibacterial nanomaterials and can be applied to the construction of supramolecular nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal NutritionCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijing100193China
| | - Qi Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal NutritionCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijing100193China
| | - Shenrui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal NutritionCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijing100193China
| | - Yucheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal NutritionCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijing100193China
| | - Huiyang Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal NutritionCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijing100193China
| | - Xi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal NutritionCollege of Animal Science and TechnologyChina Agricultural UniversityBeijing100193China
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30
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Atomic-Resolution Structures and Mode of Action of Clinically Relevant Antimicrobial Peptides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094558. [PMID: 35562950 PMCID: PMC9100274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Global rise of infections and deaths caused by drug-resistant bacterial pathogens are among the unmet medical needs. In an age of drying pipeline of novel antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are proven to be valid therapeutics modalities. Direct in vivo applications of many AMPs could be challenging; however, works are demonstrating encouraging results for some of them. In this review article, we discussed 3-D structures of potent AMPs e.g., polymyxin, thanatin, MSI, protegrin, OMPTA in complex with bacterial targets and their mode of actions. Studies on human peptide LL37 and de novo-designed peptides are also discussed. We have focused on AMPs which are effective against drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Since treatment options for the infections caused by super bugs of Gram-negative bacteria are now extremely limited. We also summarize some of the pertinent challenges in the field of clinical trials of AMPs.
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31
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Hu YZ, Ma ZY, Wu CS, Wang J, Zhang YA, Zhang XJ. LECT2 Is a Novel Antibacterial Protein in Vertebrates. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:2037-2053. [PMID: 35365566 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, leukocyte-derived chemotaxin-2 (LECT2) is an important immunoregulator with conserved chemotactic and phagocytosis-stimulating activities to leukocytes during bacterial infection. However, whether LECT2 possesses direct antibacterial activity remains unknown. In this article, we show that, unlike tetrapods with a single LECT2 gene, two LECT2 genes exist in teleost fish, named LECT2-a and LECT2-b Using grass carp as a research model, we found that the expression pattern of grass carp LECT2-a (gcLECT2-a) is more similar to that of LECT2 in tetrapods, while gcLECT2-b has evolved to be highly expressed in mucosal immune organs, including the intestine and skin. Interestingly, we found that gcLECT2-b, with conserved chemotactic and phagocytosis-stimulating activities, can also kill Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria directly in a membrane-dependent and a non-membrane-dependent manner, respectively. Moreover, gcLECT2-b could prevent the adherence of bacteria to epithelial cells through agglutination by targeting peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid. Further study revealed that gcLECT2-b can protect grass carp from Aeromonas hydrophila infection in vivo, because it significantly reduces intestinal necrosis and tissue bacterial load. More importantly, we found that LECT2 from representative tetrapods, except human, also possesses direct antibacterial activities, indicating that the direct antibacterial property of LECT2 is generally conserved in vertebrates. Taken together, to our knowledge, our study discovered a novel function of LECT2 in the antibacterial immunity of vertebrates, especially teleost fish, greatly enhancing our knowledge of this important molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Zhen Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Zi-You Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Chang-Song Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong-An Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China;
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, China; and
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Xu-Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China;
- Engineering Research Center of Green Development for Conventional Aquatic Biological Industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China
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32
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Chen CH, Bepler T, Pepper K, Fu D, Lu TK. Synthetic molecular evolution of antimicrobial peptides. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102718. [PMID: 35395425 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
As we learn more about how peptide structure and activity are related, we anticipate that antimicrobial peptides will be engineered to have strong potency and distinct functions and that synthetic peptides will have new biomedical applications, such as treatments for emerging infectious diseases. As a result of the enormous number of possible amino acid sequences and the low-throughput nature of antimicrobial peptide assays, computational tools for peptide design and optimization are needed for direct experimentation toward obtaining functional sequences. Recent developments in computational tools have improved peptide design, saving labor, reagents, costs, and time. At the same time, improvements in peptide synthesis and experimental platforms continue to reduce the cost and increase the throughput of peptide-drug screening. In this review, we discuss the current methods of peptide design and engineering, including in silico methods and peptide synthesis and screening, and highlight areas of potential improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H Chen
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Tristan Bepler
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Simons Machine Learning Center, New York Structural Biology Center, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Karen Pepper
- Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Debbie Fu
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA
| | - Timothy K Lu
- Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Synthetic Biology Group, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Senti Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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33
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Wei DX, Zhang XW. Biosynthesis, Bioactivity, Biosafety and Applications of Antimicrobial Peptides for Human Health. BIOSAFETY AND HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bsheal.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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34
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Booth V. Deuterium Solid State NMR Studies of Intact Bacteria Treated With Antimicrobial Peptides. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 2:621572. [PMID: 35047897 PMCID: PMC8757836 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.621572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid state NMR has been tremendously useful in characterizing the structure and dynamics of model membranes composed of simple lipid mixtures. Model lipid studies employing solid state NMR have included important work revealing how membrane bilayer structure and dynamics are affected by molecules such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, solid state NMR need not be applied only to model membranes, but can also be used with living, intact cells. NMR of whole cells holds promise for helping resolve some unsolved mysteries about how bacteria interact with AMPs. This mini-review will focus on recent studies using 2H NMR to study how treatment with AMPs affect membranes in intact bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Booth
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Physics and Physical Oceanograpy, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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35
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Wang G, Zietz CM, Mudgapalli A, Wang S, Wang Z. The evolution of the antimicrobial peptide database over 18 years: Milestones and new features. Protein Sci 2022; 31:92-106. [PMID: 34529321 PMCID: PMC8740828 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The antimicrobial peptide database (APD) has served the antimicrobial peptide field for 18 years. Because it is widely used in research and education, this article documents database milestones and key events that have transformed it into the current form. A comparison is made for the APD peptide statistics between 2010 and 2020, validating the major database findings to date. We also describe new additions ranging from peptide entries to search functions. Of note, the APD also contains antimicrobial peptides from host microbiota, which are important in shaping immune systems and could be linked to a variety of human diseases. Finally, the database has been re-programmed to the web branding and latest security compliance of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The reprogrammed APD can be accessed at https://aps.unmc.edu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and MicrobiologyCollege of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - C. Michael Zietz
- Research Information Technology OfficeUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Ashok Mudgapalli
- Research Information Technology OfficeUniversity of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Shuona Wang
- Department of Pathology and MicrobiologyCollege of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathology and MicrobiologyCollege of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaNebraskaUSA
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Abstract
Antibiotic resistance constitutes a global threat and could lead to a future pandemic. One strategy is to develop a new generation of antimicrobials. Naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are recognized templates and some are already in clinical use. To accelerate the discovery of new antibiotics, it is useful to predict novel AMPs from the sequenced genomes of various organisms. The antimicrobial peptide database (APD) provided the first empirical peptide prediction program. It also facilitated the testing of the first machine-learning algorithms. This chapter provides an overview of machine-learning predictions of AMPs. Most of the predictors, such as AntiBP, CAMP, and iAMPpred, involve a single-label prediction of antimicrobial activity. This type of prediction has been expanded to antifungal, antiviral, antibiofilm, anti-TB, hemolytic, and anti-inflammatory peptides. The multiple functional roles of AMPs annotated in the APD also enabled multi-label predictions (iAMP-2L, MLAMP, and AMAP), which include antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, antibiofilm, anticancer, anti-HIV, antimalarial, insecticidal, antioxidant, chemotactic, spermicidal activities, and protease inhibiting activities. Also considered in predictions are peptide posttranslational modification, 3D structure, and microbial species-specific information. We compare important amino acids of AMPs implied from machine learning with the frequently occurring residues of the major classes of natural peptides. Finally, we discuss advances, limitations, and future directions of machine-learning predictions of antimicrobial peptides. Ultimately, we may assemble a pipeline of such predictions beyond antimicrobial activity to accelerate the discovery of novel AMP-based antimicrobials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA;,Corresponding to: Dr. Monique van Hoek: ; Dr. Iosif Vaisman: ; Dr. Guangshun Wang:
| | - Iosif I. Vaisman
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.,Corresponding to: Dr. Monique van Hoek: ; Dr. Iosif Vaisman: ; Dr. Guangshun Wang:
| | - Monique L. van Hoek
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, 10920 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA, 20110, USA.,Corresponding to: Dr. Monique van Hoek: ; Dr. Iosif Vaisman: ; Dr. Guangshun Wang:
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37
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Hu Y, Li H, Qu R, He T, Tang X, Chen W, Li L, Bai H, Li C, Wang W, Fu G, Luo G, Xia X, Zhang J. Lysine Stapling Screening Provides Stable and Low Toxic Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Combating Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria In Vitro and In Vivo. J Med Chem 2021; 65:579-591. [PMID: 34968054 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) are promising for treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria-caused infections. However, clinical application of CAMPs has been hampered mostly due to their poor proteolytic stability and hemolytic toxicity. Recently, lysine-stapled CAMPs developed by us had been proved to increase peptide stability in vitro without induction of hemolysis. Herein, the applicability of the lysine stapling strategy was further explored by using five natural or artificial CAMPs as model peptides. Lysine stapling screening was implemented to provide 13 cyclic analogues in total. Biological screening of these cyclic analogues showed that CAMPs with a better amphiphilic structure were inclined to exhibit improved antimicrobial activity, protease stability, and biocompatibility after lysine-stapling. One of the stapled analogues of BF15-a1 was found to have extended half-life in plasma, enhanced antimicrobial activity against clinically isolated MDR ESKAPE pathogens, and remained highly effective in combating MRSA infection in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Hu
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Li
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Qu
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong He
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Tang
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanyi Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixian Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Bai
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Fu
- Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangli Luo
- Clinical Laboratory, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Xia
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Innovative Drug Research Centre (IDRC), Chongqing Key Laboratory of Natural Product Synthesis and Drug Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, People's Republic of China
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38
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Exploration of the Structure-Function Relationships of a Novel Frog Skin Secretion-Derived Bioactive Peptide, t-DPH1, through Use of Rational Design, Cationicity Enhancement and In Vitro Studies. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10121529. [PMID: 34943741 PMCID: PMC8698721 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121529] [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: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted increasing attention from scientists because of their excellent bioactivity and low drug resistance. In addition to being the alternative choice of antibiotics or anticancer agents, natural AMPs can also be modified as templates to optimise their bioactivities further. Here, a novel dermaseptin peptide, t-DPH1, with extensive antimicrobial activity and antiproliferative activity, was isolated from the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis through 'shotgun' cloning. A series of cationicity-enhanced analogues of t-DPH1 were designed to further improve its bioactivities and explore the charge threshold of enhancing the bioactivity of t-DPH1. The present data suggest that improving the net charge can enhance the bioactivities to some extent. However, when the charge exceeds a specific limit, the bioactivities decrease or remain the same. When the net charge achieves the limit, improving the hydrophobicity makes no sense to enhance bioactivity. For t-DPH1, the upper limit of the net charge was +7. All the designed cationicity-enhanced analogues produced no drug resistance in the Gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli. These findings provide creative insights into the role of natural drug discovery in providing templates for structural modification for activity enhancement.
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Fang Y, Zhu Y, Li L, Lai Z, Dong N, Shan A. Biomaterial-Interrelated Bacterial Sweeper: Simplified Self-Assembled Octapeptides with Double-Layered Trp Zipper Induces Membrane Destabilization and Bacterial Apoptosis-Like Death. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2101304. [PMID: 34928043 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of microbial-associated infections continues to be hampered by impaired antibacterial efficiency and the variability in nanomedicines. Herein, an octapeptide library with a double-layered zipper, constructed via a systematic arrangement, simplifying the sequence and optimizing the structure (diverse motifs including surfactant-like, central-bola, and end-bola), is assessed in terms of biological efficiency and self-assembly properties. The results indicate that peptides with double-layered Trp zipper exhibit significant antimicrobial activity. Extracellularly, affinity interactions between micelles and bacteria induce the lateral flow of the membrane and electric potential perturbation. Intracellularly, lead molecules cause apoptosis-like death, as indicated by excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species, generation of a DNA ladder, and upregulation of mazEF expression. Among them, RW-1 performs the best in vivo and in vitro. The intersecting combination of Trp zipper and surfactants possesses overwhelming superiority with respect to bacterial sweepers (therapeutic index [TI] = 52.89), nanostructures (micelles), and bacterial damage compared to RW-2 (central-bola) and RW-3 (end-bola). These findings confirm that the combination of double-layered Trp zipper and surfactants has potential for application as a combined motif for combating microbial infection and connects the vast gap between antimicrobial peptides and self-assembly, such as Jacob's ladder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Fang
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, The Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Yunhui Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, The Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Ling Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, The Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Zhenheng Lai
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, The Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Na Dong
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, The Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Laboratory of Molecular Nutrition and Immunity, The Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, P. R. China
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40
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Structure and Activity of a Selective Antibiofilm Peptide SK-24 Derived from the NMR Structure of Human Cathelicidin LL-37. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121245. [PMID: 34959645 PMCID: PMC8703873 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The deployment of the innate immune system in humans is essential to protect us from infection. Human cathelicidin LL-37 is a linear host defense peptide with both antimicrobial and immune modulatory properties. Despite years of studies of numerous peptides, SK-24, corresponding to the long hydrophobic domain (residues 9–32) in the anionic lipid-bound NMR structure of LL-37, has not been investigated. This study reports the structure and activity of SK-24. Interestingly, SK-24 is entirely helical (~100%) in phosphate buffer (PBS), more than LL-37 (84%), GI-20 (75%), and GF-17 (33%), while RI-10 and 17BIPHE2 are essentially randomly coiled (helix%: 7–10%). These results imply an important role for the additional N-terminal amino acids (likely E16) of SK-24 in stabilizing the helical conformation in PBS. It is proposed herein that SK-24 contains the minimal sequence for effective oligomerization of LL-37. Superior to LL-37 and RI-10, SK-24 shows an antimicrobial activity spectrum comparable to the major antimicrobial peptides GF-17 and GI-20 by targeting bacterial membranes and forming a helical conformation. Like the engineered peptide 17BIPHE2, SK-24 has a stronger antibiofilm activity than LL-37, GI-20, and GF-17. Nevertheless, SK-24 is least hemolytic at 200 µM compared with LL-37 and its other peptides investigated herein. Combined, these results enabled us to appreciate the elegance of the long amphipathic helix SK-24 nature deploys within LL-37 for human antimicrobial defense. SK-24 may be a useful template of therapeutic potential.
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41
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Bobde SS, Alsaab FM, Wang G, Van Hoek ML. Ab initio Designed Antimicrobial Peptides Against Gram-Negative Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:715246. [PMID: 34867843 PMCID: PMC8636942 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.715246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ubiquitous amongst living organisms and are part of the innate immune system with the ability to kill pathogens directly or indirectly by modulating the immune system. AMPs have potential as a novel therapeutic against bacteria due to their quick-acting mechanism of action that prevents bacteria from developing resistance. Additionally, there is a dire need for therapeutics with activity specifically against Gram-negative bacterial infections that are intrinsically difficult to treat, with or without acquired drug resistance. Development of new antibiotics has slowed in recent years and novel therapeutics (like AMPs) with a focus against Gram-negative bacteria are needed. We designed eight novel AMPs, termed PHNX peptides, using ab initio computational design (database filtering technology combined with the novel positional analysis on APD3 dataset of AMPs with activity against Gram-negative bacteria) and assessed their theoretical function using published machine learning algorithms, and finally, validated their activity in our laboratory. These AMPs were tested to establish their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) under CLSI methodology against antibiotic resistant and antibiotic susceptible Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Laboratory-based experimental results were compared to computationally predicted activities for each of the peptides to ascertain the accuracy of the computational tools used. PHNX-1 demonstrated antibacterial activity (under high and low-salt conditions) against antibiotic resistant and susceptible strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and PHNX-4 to -8 demonstrated low-salt antibacterial activity only. The AMPs were then evaluated for cytotoxicity using hemolysis against human red blood cells and demonstrated some hemolysis which needs to be further evaluated. In this study, we successfully developed a design methodology to create synthetic AMPs with a narrow spectrum of activity where the PHNX AMPs demonstrated higher antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria compared to Gram-positive bacteria. Thus, these peptides present novel synthetic peptides with a potential for therapeutic use. Based on our findings, we propose upfront selection of the peptide dataset for analysis, an additional step of positional analysis to add to the ab initio database filtering technology (DFT) method, and we present laboratory data on the novel, synthetically designed AMPs to validate the results of the computational approach. We aim to conduct future in vivo studies which could establish these AMPs for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shravani S. Bobde
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
| | - Fahad M. Alsaab
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Guangshuan Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Monique L. Van Hoek
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Monique L. Van Hoek,
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42
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Preußke N, Lipfert M, Rothemund S, Leippe M, Sönnichsen FD. Designed Trp-Cage Proteins with Antimicrobial Activity and Enhanced Stability. Biochemistry 2021; 60:3187-3199. [PMID: 34613690 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
α-Helical antimicrobial peptides (αAMPs) are among the potential candidates for new anti-infectives to tackle the global crisis in antibiotic resistance, but they suffer from low bioavailability due to high susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. Here, we describe a strategy to increase the resistance of αAMPs against proteases. Fusing the 12-residue αAMP KR-12 with a Trp-cage domain induces an α-helical structure in the otherwise unfolded KR-12 moiety in solution. The resulting antimicrobial Trp-cage exhibits higher proteolytic resistance due to its stable fold as evidenced by correlating sequence-resolved digest data with structural analyses. In addition, the antimicrobial Trp-cage displays increased activity against bacteria in the presence of physiologically relevant concentrations of NaCl, while the hemolytic activity remains negligible. In contrast to previous strategies, the presented approach is not reliant on artificial amino acids and is therefore applicable to biosynthetic procedures. Our study aims to improve the pharmacokinetics of αAMPs to facilitate their use as therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Preußke
- Otto Diels Institute for Organic Chemistry, Kiel University, Otto-Hahn-Platz 3-5, 24118 Kiel, Germany.,Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 3-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Matthias Lipfert
- Otto Diels Institute for Organic Chemistry, Kiel University, Otto-Hahn-Platz 3-5, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Sven Rothemund
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 21, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Leippe
- Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 3-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Frank D Sönnichsen
- Otto Diels Institute for Organic Chemistry, Kiel University, Otto-Hahn-Platz 3-5, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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43
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Zakaryan H, Chilingaryan G, Arabyan E, Serobian A, Wang G. Natural antimicrobial peptides as a source of new antiviral agents. J Gen Virol 2021; 102. [PMID: 34554085 PMCID: PMC10026734 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Current antiviral drugs are limited because of their adverse side effects and increased rate of resistance. In recent decades, much scientific effort has been invested in the discovery of new synthetic and natural compounds with promising antiviral properties. Among this new generation of compounds, antimicrobial peptides with antiviral activity have been described and are attracting attention due to their mechanism of action and biological properties. To understand the potential of antiviral peptides (AVPs), we analyse the antiviral activity of well-known AVP families isolated from different natural sources, discuss their physical-chemical properties, and demonstrate how AVP databases can guide us to design synthetic AVPs with better therapeutic properties. All considerations in this sphere of antiviral therapy clearly demonstrate the remarkable contribution that AVPs may make in conquering old as well as newly emerging viruses that plague humanity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hovakim Zakaryan
- Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Discovery, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS, 0014, Yerevan, Armenia
- Denovo Sciences CJSC, 0033, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Garri Chilingaryan
- Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Discovery, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS, 0014, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Erik Arabyan
- Laboratory of Antiviral Drug Discovery, Institute of Molecular Biology of NAS, 0014, Yerevan, Armenia
| | | | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, USA
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Luo X, Ye X, Ding L, Zhu W, Yi P, Zhao Z, Gao H, Shu Z, Li S, Sang M, Wang J, Zhong W, Chen Z. Fine-Tuning of Alkaline Residues on the Hydrophilic Face Provides a Non-toxic Cationic α-Helical Antimicrobial Peptide Against Antibiotic-Resistant ESKAPE Pathogens. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:684591. [PMID: 34335511 PMCID: PMC8319832 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.684591] [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: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) has become a serious threat to public health worldwide. Cationic α-helical antimicrobial peptides (CαAMPs) have attracted much attention as promising solutions in post-antibiotic era. However, strong hemolytic activity and in vivo inefficacy have hindered their pharmaceutical development. Here, we attempt to address these obstacles by investigating BmKn2 and BmKn2-7, two scorpion-derived CαAMPs with the same hydrophobic face and a distinct hydrophilic face. Through structural comparison, mutant design and functional analyses, we found that while keeping the hydrophobic face unchanged, increasing the number of alkaline residues (i.e., Lys + Arg residues) on the hydrophilic face of BmKn2 reduces the hemolytic activity and broadens the antimicrobial spectrum. Strikingly, when keeping the total number of alkaline residues constant, increasing the number of Lys residues on the hydrophilic face of BmKn2-7 significantly reduces the hemolytic activity but does not influence the antimicrobial activity. BmKn2-7K, a mutant of BmKn2-7 in which all of the Arg residues on the hydrophilic face were replaced with Lys, showed the lowest hemolytic activity and potent antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE pathogens. Moreover, in vivo experiments indicate that BmKn2-7K displays potent antimicrobial efficacy against both the penicillin-resistant S. aureus and the carbapenem- and multidrug-resistant A. baumannii, and is non-toxic at the antimicrobial dosages. Taken together, our work highlights the significant functional disparity of Lys vs Arg in the scorpion-derived antimicrobial peptide BmKn2-7, and provides a promising lead molecule for drug development against ESKAPE pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Luo
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xiangdong Ye
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Li Ding
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dongfeng Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Pengcheng Yi
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zhiwen Zhao
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Huanhuan Gao
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zhan Shu
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Shan Li
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Ming Sang
- Central Laboratory of Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Weihua Zhong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Institute of Biomedicine and Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
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Dang X, Wang G. Spotlight on the Selected New Antimicrobial Innate Immune Peptides Discovered During 2015-2019. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:2984-2998. [PMID: 33092508 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666201022143625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic resistance is a global issue and new anti-microbials are required. INTRODUCTION Anti-microbial peptides are important players of host innate immune systems that prevent infections. Due to their ability to eliminate drug-resistant pathogens, AMPs are promising candidates for developing the next generation of anti-microbials. METHODS The anti-microbial peptide database provides a useful tool for searching, predicting, and designing new AMPs. In the period from 2015-2019, ~500 new natural peptides have been registered. RESULTS This article highlights a selected set of new AMP members with interesting properties. Teixobactin is a cell wall inhibiting peptide antibiotic, while darobactin inhibits a chaperone and translocator for outer membrane proteins. Remarkably, cOB1, a sex pheromone from commensal enterococci, restricts the growth of multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis in the gut at a picomolar concentration. A novel proline-rich AMP has been found in the plant Brassica napus. A shrimp peptide MjPen- II comprises three different sequence domains: serine-rich, proline-rich, and cysteine-rich regions. Surprisingly, an amphibian peptide urumin specifically inhibits H1 hemagglutinin-bearing influenza A virus. Defensins are abundant and typically consist of three pairs of intramolecular disulfide bonds. However, rat rattusin dimerizes via forming five pairs of intermolecular disulfide bonds. While human LL-37 can be induced by vitamin D, vitamin A induces the expression of resistin-like molecule alpha (RELMα) in mice. The isolation and characterization of an alternative human cathelicidin peptide, TLN-58, substantiates the concept of one gene multiple peptides. The involvement of a fly AMP nemuri in sleep induction may promote the research on the relationship between sleep and infection control. CONCLUSION The functional roles of AMPs continue to grow and the general term "innate immune peptides" becomes useful. These discoveries widen our view on the anti-microbial peptides and may open new opportunities for developing novel peptide therapeutics for different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangli Dang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, United States
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5900, United States
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46
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Gou S, Li B, Ouyang X, Ba Z, Zhong C, Zhang T, Chang L, Zhu Y, Zhang J, Zhu N, Zhang Y, Liu H, Ni J. Novel Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Peptide Derived from Anoplin and Its Activity on Bacterial Pneumonia in Mice. J Med Chem 2021; 64:11247-11266. [PMID: 34180670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has major issues for treating bacterial pneumonia. Currently, anoplin (GLLKRIKTLL-NH2) is a natural antimicrobial candidate derived from wasp venom. In this study, a series of new antimicrobial peptide (AMP) anoplin analogues were designed and synthesized. The relationship between their biological activities and their positive charge, hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, and secondary structure are described. The characteristic shared by these peptides is that positively charged amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids are severally arranged on the hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface of the α-helix to form a completely amphiphilic structure. To achieve ideal AMPs, below the range of the threshold of the cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity, their charges and hydrophobicity were increased as much. Among the new analogues, A-21 (KWWKKWKKWW-NH2) exhibited the greatest antimicrobial activity (geometric mean of minimum inhibitory concentrations = 4.76 μM) against all the tested bacterial strains, high bacterial cell selectivity in vitro, high effectiveness against bacterial pneumonia in mice infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae, and low toxicity in mice (LD50 = 82.01 mg/kg). A-21 exhibited a potent bacterial membrane-damaging mechanism and lipopolysaccharide-binding ability. These data provide evidence that A-21 is a promising antimicrobial candidate for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanhu Gou
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Beibei Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xu Ouyang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zufang Ba
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chao Zhong
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tianyue Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - LinLin Chang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuewen Zhu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ningyi Zhu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.,Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Zhong C, Zhang F, Yao J, Zhu Y, Zhu N, Zhang J, Ouyang X, Zhang T, Li B, Xie J, Ni J. New Antimicrobial Peptides with Repeating Unit against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1619-1637. [PMID: 33829758 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
With the aim of tackling the increasingly serious antimicrobial resistance and improving the clinical potential of AMPs, a facile de novo strategy was adopted in this study, and a series of new peptides comprising repeating unit (WRX)n (X represents I, L, F, W, and K; n = 2, 3, 4, or 5) and amidation at C-terminus were designed. Most of the newly designed peptides exhibited a broad range of excellent antimicrobial activities against various bacteria, especially difficult-to-kill multidrug-resistant bacteria clinical isolates. Among (WRK)4 and (WRK)5, with n = 4 and n = 5 of repeating unit WRK, the highest selectivity for anionic bacterial membranes over a zwitterionic mammalian cell membrane is presented with strong antimicrobial potential and low toxicity. Additionally, both (WRK)4 and (WRK)5 emerged with fast killing speed and low tendency of resistance in sharp contrast to the conventional antibiotics ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and imipenem, as well as having antimicrobial activity through multiple mechanisms including a membrane-disruptive mechanism and an intramolecular mechanism (nucleic acid leakage, DNA binding and ROS generation) characterized by a series of assays. Furthermore, (WRK)4 exerted impressive therapeutic effects in vivo similarly to polymyxin B but displayed much lower toxicity in vivo than polymyxin B. Taken together, the newly designed peptides (WRK)4 and (WRK)5 presented tremendous potential as novel antimicrobial candidates in response to the growing antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fangyan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jia Yao
- The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yuewen Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ningyi Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xu Ouyang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Tianyue Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Beibei Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingman Ni
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macao 999078, China
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Lakshmaiah Narayana J, Golla R, Mishra B, Wang X, Lushnikova T, Zhang Y, Verma A, Kumar V, Xie J, Wang G. Short and Robust Anti-Infective Lipopeptides Engineered Based on the Minimal Antimicrobial Peptide KR12 of Human LL-37. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:1795-1808. [PMID: 33890759 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.1c00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to push the frontier of the engineering of human cathelicidin LL-37, a critical antimicrobial innate immune peptide that wards off invading pathogens. By sequential truncation of the smallest antibacterial peptide (KR12) of LL-37 and conjugation with fatty acids, with varying chain lengths, a library of lipopeptides is generated. These peptides are subjected to antibacterial activity and hemolytic assays. Candidates (including both forms made of l- and d-amino acids) with the optimal cell selectivity are subsequently fed to the second layer of in vitro filters, including salts, pH, serum, and media. These practices lead to the identification of a miniature LL-37 like peptide (d-form) with selectivity, stability, and robust antimicrobial activity in vitro against both Gram-positive and negative bacteria. Proteomic studies reveal far fewer serum proteins that bind to the d-form than the l-form peptide. C10-KR8d targets bacterial membranes to become helical, making it difficult for bacteria to develop resistance in a multiple passage experiment. In vivo, C10-KR8d is able to reduce bacterial burden of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 LAC in neutropenic mice. In addition, this designer peptide prevents bacterial biofilm formation in a catheter-associated mouse model. Meanwhile, C10-KR8d also recruits cytokines to the vicinity of catheters to clear infection. Thus, based on the antimicrobial region of LL-37, this study succeeds in identifying the smallest anti-infective peptide C10-KR8d with both robust antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and immune modulation activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayaram Lakshmaiah Narayana
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Radha Golla
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Biswajit Mishra
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Xiuqing Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Tamara Lushnikova
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Yingxia Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Atul Verma
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
| | - Vikas Kumar
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Core Facility, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198, United States
| | - Jingwei Xie
- Department of Surgery-Transplant and Mary & Dick Holland Regenerative Medicine Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, United States
| | - Guangshun Wang
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985900 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, United States
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Luo X, Ye X, Ding L, Zhu W, Zhao Z, Luo D, Liu N, Sun L, Chen Z. Identification of the scorpion venom-derived antimicrobial peptide Hp1404 as a new antimicrobial agent against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Microb Pathog 2021; 157:104960. [PMID: 34022355 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is becoming a troublesome issue worldwide, and anti-CRAB drug research and development is urgently needed. To identify new anti-CRAB drug leads, we investigated seven scorpion venom-derived α-helical peptides that differ in their sequence composition and length. Three peptides, Hp1404, ctriporin and Im5, showed antimicrobial activities against Acinetobacter baumannii. Further antimicrobial assays revealed that Hp1404 exhibited the best cell selectivity with high anti-CRAB and low hemolytic activities. Fluorescence assays demonstrated that Hp1404 can induce dose-dependent disruptions of the bacterial cell membrane, implying a membrane-lytic mode of action. Taken together, our work sheds light on the potential of the scorpion venom-derived peptide Hp1404 for the development of novel antimicrobial agents against CRAB infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Xiangdong Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dongfeng Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Zhiwen Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Luyue Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, China.
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50
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Luo X, Ding L, Ye X, Zhu W, Zhang K, Li F, Jiang H, Zhao Z, Chen Z. An Smp43-Derived Short-Chain α-Helical Peptide Displays a Unique Sequence and Possesses Antimicrobial Activity against Both Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13050343. [PMID: 34064808 PMCID: PMC8150835 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venoms are rich resources of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). While the short-chain noncysteine-containing AMPs have attracted much attention as templates for drug development, the antimicrobial potential of long-chain noncysteine-containing AMPs has been largely overlooked. Here, by using the online HeliQuest server, we designed and analyzed a series of 14-residue fragments of Smp43, a 43-residue long-chain noncysteine-containing AMP identified from the venom of Scorpio maurus palmatus. We found that Smp43(1-14) shows high antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and is nontoxic to mammalian cells at the antimicrobial dosage. Sequence alignments showed that the designed Smp43(1-14) displays a unique primary structure that is different from other natural short-chain noncysteine-containing AMPs from scorpions, such as Uy17, Uy192 and IsCT. Moreover, the peptide Smp43(1-14) caused concentration-dependent fluorescence increases in the bacteria for all of the tested dyes, propidium iodide, SYTOXTM Green and DiSC3-5, suggesting that the peptide may kill the bacteria through the formation of pore structures in the plasma membrane. Taken together, our work sheds light on a new avenue for the design of novel short-chain noncysteine-containing AMPs and provides a good peptide template with a unique sequence for the development of novel drugs for use against bacterial infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dongfeng Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Xiangdong Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Wen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Kaiyue Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Fangyan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Huiwen Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhiwen Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zongyun Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; (X.L.); (L.D.); (X.Y.); (W.Z.); (K.Z.); (F.L.); (H.J.); (Z.Z.)
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-(0)-719-8469073
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