1
|
Waugh ML, Wolf LM, Moore KA, Servoss SL, Moss MA. Rationally Designed Peptoid Inhibitors of Amyloid-β Oligomerization. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202400060. [PMID: 38715149 PMCID: PMC11219258 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400060] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
While plaques comprised of fibrillar Aβ aggregates are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, soluble Aβ oligomers present higher neurotoxicity. Thus, one therapeutic approach is to prevent the formation of Aβ oligomers and reduce their associated harmful effects. We have proposed a peptoid mimic of the Aβ hydrophobic KLVFF core as an ideal candidate aggregation inhibitor due to its ability to evade proteolytic degradation via repositioning of the side chain from the α-carbon to the amide nitrogen. This peptoid, JPT1, utilizes chiral sidechains to achieve a helical structure, while C-terminal addition of two phenylalanine residues places aromatic groups on two sides of the helix with spacing designed to facilitate interaction with amyloid β-sheet structure. We have previously shown that JPT1 modulates Aβ fibril formation. Here, we demonstrate that JPT1 also modulates Aβ oligomerization, and we explore the role of the charge on the linker between the KLVFF mimic and the extended aromatic residues. Additionally, we demonstrate that peptoid-induced changes in Aβ oligomerization correlate with attenuation of oligomer-induced nuclear factor-κB activation in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. These findings support the therapeutic potential of peptoids to target early stages of Aβ aggregation and impact the associated Aβ-induced cellular response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mihyun Lim Waugh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 3A46 Swearingen Engineering Center, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Lauren M Wolf
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 3A46 Swearingen Engineering Center, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kelly A Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 3A46 Swearingen Engineering Center, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Shannon L Servoss
- Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, 3202 Bell Engineering Center, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Melissa A Moss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 3A46 Swearingen Engineering Center, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2C02 Swearingen Engineering Center, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Caselli L, Köhler S, Schirone D, Humphreys B, Malmsten M. Conformational control of antimicrobial peptide amphiphilicity: consequences for boosting membrane interactions and antimicrobial effects of photocatalytic TiO 2 nanoparticles. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:16529-16539. [PMID: 38828872 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp01724b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
This study reports on the effects of conformationally controlled amphiphilicity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on their ability to coat TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and boost the photocatalytic antimicrobial effects of such NPs. For this, TiO2 NPs were combined with AMP EFK17 (EFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLV), displaying a disordered conformation in aqueous solution but helix formation on interaction with bacterial membranes. The membrane-bound helix is amphiphilic, with all polar and charged amino acid residues located at one side and all non-polar and hydrophobic residues on the other. In contrast, the d-enantiomer variant EFK17-d (E(dF)KR(dI)VQR(dI)KD(dF)LRNLV) is unable to form the amphiphilic helix on bacterial membrane interaction, whereas the W-residues in EFK17-W (EWKRWVQRWKDFLRNLV) boost hydrophobic interactions of the amphiphilic helix. Circular dichroism results showed the effects displayed for the free peptide, to also be present for peptide-coated TiO2 NPs, causing peptide binding to decrease in the order EFK17-W > EFK17 > EFK17-d. Notably, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the TiO2 NPs was essentially unaffected by the presence of peptide coating, for all the peptides investigated, and the coatings stabilized over hours of UV exposure. Photocatalytic membrane degradation from TiO2 NPs coated with EFK17-W and EFK17 was promoted for bacteria-like model bilayers containing anionic phosphatidylglycerol but suppressed in mammalian-like bilayers formed by zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. Structural aspects of these effects were further investigated by neutron reflectometry with clear variations observed between the bacteria- and mammalian-like model bilayers for the three peptides. Mirroring these results in bacteria-like model membranes, combining TiO2 NPs with EFK17-W and EFK17, but not with non-adsorbing EFK17-d, resulted in boosted antimicrobial effects of the resulting cationic composite NPs already in darkness, effects enhanced further on UV illumination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Caselli
- Department of Physical Chemistry 1, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Sebastian Köhler
- LINXS Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science, Scheelevagen 19, 22370 Lund, Sweden
| | - Davide Schirone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biofilms-Research Center for Biointerfaces (BRCB), Malmö University, 20506 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ben Humphreys
- Institut Laue-Langevin, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Martin Malmsten
- Department of Physical Chemistry 1, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden.
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bello-Madruga R, Valle J, Jiménez MÁ, Torrent M, Montero-Alejo V, Andreu D. The C-Terminus of Panusin, a Lobster β-Defensin, Is Crucial for Optimal Antimicrobial Activity and Serum Stability. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1777. [PMID: 37376223 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061777] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
β-defensins are one of the most abundant and studied families of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Because of their selective toxicity to bacterial membranes and a broad spectrum of microbicidal action, β-defensins are regarded as potential therapeutic agents. This work focuses on a β-defensin-like AMP from the spiny lobster Panulirus argus (hereafter referred to as panusin or PaD). This AMP is structurally related to mammalian defensins via the presence of an αβ domain stabilized by disulfide bonds. Previous studies of PaD suggest that its C-terminus (Ct_PaD) contains the main structural determinants of antibacterial activity. To confirm this hypothesis, we made synthetic versions of PaD and Ct_PaD to determine the influence of the C-terminus on antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity, proteolytic stability, and 3D structure. After successful solid-phase synthesis and folding, antibacterial assays of both peptides showed truncated Ct_PaD to be more active than native PaD, confirming the role of the C-terminus in activity and suggesting that cationic residues in that region enhance binding to negatively charged membranes. On the other hand, neither PaD nor Ct_PaD were hemolytic or cytotoxic in human cells. Proteolysis in human serum was also studied, showing high (>24 h) t1/2 values for PaD and lower but still considerable for Ct_PaD, indicating that the missing native disulfide bond in Ct_PaD alters protease resistance, albeit not decisively. NMR-2D experiments in water agree with the results obtained by circular dichroism (CD), where in SDS micelles, CD showed both peptides adopting an increasingly ordered structure in a hydrophobic environment, in tune with their ability to perturb bacterial membrane systems. In conclusion, while the β-defensin features of PaD are confirmed as advantageous in terms of antimicrobial activity, toxicity, and protease stability, the results of the present work suggest that these same features are preserved, even enhanced, in the structurally simpler Ct_PaD, which must therefore be viewed as a valuable lead for the development of novel anti-infectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bello-Madruga
- Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Systems Biology of Infection Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, (CIDEM), La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - Javier Valle
- Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ángeles Jiménez
- Instituto de Química Física Blas Cabrera-CSIC, Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Torrent
- Systems Biology of Infection Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Vivian Montero-Alejo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, (CIDEM), La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - David Andreu
- Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
He S, Yang Z, Li X, Wu H, Zhang L, Shan A, Wang J. Boosting stability and therapeutic potential of proteolysis-resistant antimicrobial peptides by end-tagging β-naphthylalanine. Acta Biomater 2023; 164:175-194. [PMID: 37100185 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Recently, much emphasis has been placed on solving the intrinsic defects of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), especially their susceptibility to protease digestion for the systemic application of antibacterial biomaterials. Although many strategies have increased the protease stability of AMPs, antimicrobial activity was severely compromised, thereby substantially weakening their therapeutic effect. To address this issue, we introduced hydrophobic group modifications at the N-terminus of proteolysis-resistant AMPs D1 (AArIIlrWrFR) through end-tagging with stretches of natural amino acids (W and I), unnatural amino acid (Nal) and fatty acids. Of these peptides, N1 tagged with a Nal at N-terminus showed the highest selectivity index (GMSI = 19.59), with a 6.73-fold improvement over D1. In addition to potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, N1 also exhibited high antimicrobial stability toward salts, serum and proteases in vitro and ideal biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy in vivo. Furthermore, N1 killed bacteria through multiple mechanisms, involving disruption of bacterial membranes and inhibition of bacterial energy metabolism. Indeed, appropriate terminal hydrophobicity modification opens up new avenues for developing and applying high-stability peptide-based antibacterial biomaterials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: To improve the potency and stability of proteolysis-resistant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) without increasing toxicity, we constructed a convenient and tunable platform based on different compositions and lengths of hydrophobic end modifications. By tagging an Nal at the N-terminal, the obtained target compound N1 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity and desirable stability under multifarious environments in vitro (protease, salts and serum), and also showed favorable biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy in vivo. Notably, N1exerted its bactericidal effect by damaging bacterial cell membranes and inhibiting bacterial energy metabolism in a dual mode. The findings provide a potential method for designing or optimizing proteolysis-resistant AMPs thus promoting the development and application of peptide-based antibacterial biomaterial.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi He
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Zhanyi Yang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Li
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Hua Wu
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Licong Zhang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China.
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang X, Yang X, Wang Q, Meng D. Unnatural amino acids: promising implications for the development of new antimicrobial peptides. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:231-255. [PMID: 35254957 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2047008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The increasing incidence and rapid spread of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics are a serious global threat to public health, highlighting the need to develop new antimicrobial alternatives. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a class of promising natural antibiotic candidates due to their broad-spectrum activity and low tendency to induce resistance. However, the development of AMPs for medical use is hampered by several obstacles, such as moderate activity, lability to proteolytic degradation, and low bioavailability. To date, many researchers have focussed on the optimization or design of novel artificial AMPs with desired properties. Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) are valuable building blocks in the manufacture of a variety of pharmaceuticals, and have been used to develop artificial AMPs with specific structural and physicochemical properties. Rational incorporation of UAAs has become a very promising approach to endow AMPs with strong and long-lasting activity but no toxicity. This review aims to summarize key approaches that have been used to incorporate UAAs to develop novel AMPs with improved properties and better performance. It is anticipated that this review will guide future design considerations for UAA-based antimicrobial applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiuhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaomin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiaoe Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cosmetic, China National Light Industry, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Demei Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.,Tianjin Gasin-DH Preservation Technology Co., Ltd, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Evolutionary and in silico guided development of novel peptide analogues for antibacterial activity against ESKAPE pathogens. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2023; 4:100183. [PMID: 37032813 PMCID: PMC10073642 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
According to WHO, to combat the resistant strains, new effective anti-microbial agents are needed on an urgent basis and global researchers should focus their efforts and discovery programs on developing them against antibiotic-resistant pathogens or priority pathogens like ESKAPE. In this context, Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are being explored extensively as promising next-generation antimicrobials due to their broad range, fast kinetics and multifunctional role. Despite recent advances, it is still a daunting challenge to identify and design a potent AMP with no cytotoxicity, but with broad specific antimicrobial activity, stability and efficacy under in vivo conditions in a cost-effective and robust manner. In this work, as a proof of concept, we designed novel potent AMPs using artificial intelligence based in silico programs. Shortlisted peptide sequences were synthesized using the fmoc chemistry approach, assessed their antimicrobial activity, cell selectivity, mode of action and in vivo efficacy using a series of experiments. The synthesized peptide analogues demonstrated their antimicrobial activity (MIC in the range of 2.5-80 μM) against bacteria. The identified potential lead molecules showed antibacterial activity in physiological conditions with no signs of cytotoxicity. We further tested the antimicrobial activity of peptide analogues for treating wounds infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the mice burn wound model. In drug-development programs, the identification of lead antimicrobial agents is always challenging and involves screening a large number of molecules which is time-consuming and expensive. This work demonstrates the utility of artificial intelligence based in silico analysis programs in discovering novel antimicrobial agents in an economical, robust way.
Collapse
|
8
|
Antiviral Peptides in Antimicrobial Surface Coatings—From Current Techniques to Potential Applications. Viruses 2023; 15:v15030640. [PMID: 36992349 PMCID: PMC10051592 DOI: 10.3390/v15030640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmission of pathogens through contact with contaminated surfaces is an important route for the spread of infections. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 highlights the necessity to attenuate surface-mediated transmission. Currently, the disinfection and sanitization of surfaces are commonly performed in this regard. However, there are some disadvantages associated with these practices, including the development of antibiotic resistance, viral mutation, etc.; hence, a better strategy is necessary. In recent years, peptides have been studied to be utilized as a potential alternative. They are part of the host immune defense and have many potential in vivo applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, immunomodulation, etc. Additionally, the ability of peptides to interact with different molecules and membrane surfaces of microorganisms has made it possible to exploit them in ex vivo applications such as antimicrobial (antibacterial and antiviral) coatings. Although antibacterial peptide coatings have been studied extensively and proven to be effective, antiviral coatings are a more recent development. Therefore, this study aims to highlight antiviral coating strategies and the current practices and application of antiviral coating materials in personal protective equipment, healthcare devices, and textiles and surfaces in public settings. Here, we have presented a review on potential techniques to incorporate peptides in current surface coating strategies that will serve as a guide for developing cost-effective, sustainable and coherent antiviral surface coatings. We further our discussion to highlight some challenges of using peptides as a surface coating material and to examine future perspectives.
Collapse
|
9
|
Kalaiselvan P, Dutta D, Konda NV, Sharma S, Kumar N, Stapleton F, Willcox MDP. Effect of Deposition and Protease Digestion on the Ex Vivo Activity of Antimicrobial Peptide-Coated Contact Lenses. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:349. [PMID: 36678102 PMCID: PMC9863661 DOI: 10.3390/nano13020349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A clinical study of antimicrobial contact lenses containing the cationic peptide Mel4 was conducted. The few adverse events that occurred with this lens occurred on or after 13 nights of wear. The current study examined whether the Mel4 contact lenses lost activity during wear and the mechanism of this loss. Participants wore contact lenses for up to 13 nights. Lenses were tested for their ability to reduce the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The amount of protein and lipid extracted from lenses was measured. The ability of trypsin to affect the antimicrobial activity of Mel4-coated contact lenses was measured. Mel4-coated contact lenses lost their antimicrobial activity at six nights of wear for both bacteria. The amount of lipids (13 ± 11 vs. 21 ± 14 μg/lens at 13 nights wear) and proteins (8 ± 4 vs. 10 ± 3 mg/lens at 13 nights of wear) extracted from lenses was not different between Mel4-coated and uncoated lenses, and was not different after three nights when antimicrobial activity was maintained and thirteen nights when they had lost activity (lipid: 25 ± 17 vs. 13 ± 11, p = 0.2; protein: 8 ± 1 vs. 8 ± 4 mg/lens, p = 0.4). Trypsin digestion eliminated the antimicrobial activity of Mel4-coated lenses. In summary, Mel4-coated contact lenses lost antibacterial activity at six nights of wear, and the most likely reason was proteolytic digestion of the peptide. Future studies will design and test proteolytically stable peptide mimics as coatings for contact lenses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Debarun Dutta
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Optometry, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
| | - Nagaraju V. Konda
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, Telangana, India
| | - Savitri Sharma
- Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad 500034, Telangana, India
| | - Naresh Kumar
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Fiona Stapleton
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mark D. P. Willcox
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Decker AP, Su Y, Mishra B, Verma A, Lushnikova T, Xie J, Wang G. Peptide Stability Is Important but Not a General Requirement for Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity In Vitro and In Vivo. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:738-749. [PMID: 36485036 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Peptide stability to proteases has been a major requirement for developing peptide therapeutics. This study investigates the effects of peptide stability on antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity under various conditions. For this purpose, two human cathelicidin-derived peptides differing in stability to proteases were utilized. While GF-17, a peptide derived from the major antimicrobial region of human LL-37, can be rapidly cleaved by proteases, the engineered peptide 17BIPHE2 is resistant to multiple proteases. In the standard antimicrobial susceptibility, killing kinetics, and membrane permeabilization assays conducted in vitro using planktonic bacteria, these two peptides displayed similar potency. The two peptides were also similarly active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) USA300 prior to biofilm formation. However, 17BIPHE2 was superior to GF-17 in disrupting preformed biofilms probably due to both enhanced stability and slightly higher DNA binding capacity. In a wax moth model, 17BIPHE2 better protected insects from MRSA infection-caused death than GF-17, consistent with the slower degradation of 17BIPHE2 than GF-17. Here, peptide antimicrobial activity was found to be critical for in vivo efficacy. When incorporated in the nanofiber/microneedle delivery device, GF-17 and 17BIPHE2 displayed a similar effect in eliminating MRSA in murine chronic wounds, underscoring the advantage of nanofibers in protecting the peptide from degradation. Since nanoformulation can ease the requirement of peptide stability, it opens the door to a direct use of natural peptides or their cocktails for antimicrobial treatment, accelerating the search of effective antibiofilm peptides to treat chronic wounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron P Decker
- 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
He S, Yang Z, Li X, Wu H, Zhang L, Wang J, Shan A. Optimized proteolytic resistance motif (DabW)-based U1-2WD: A membrane-induced self-aggregating peptide to trigger bacterial agglutination and death. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:540-556. [PMID: 36162762 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The biggest application bottleneck of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is the low oral bioavailability caused by the poor stability of digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the research methods and evaluation criteria of available studies about anti-proteolytic strategies are not uniform and far from the actual environment in vivo. Here, we developed a research system and evaluation criteria for proteolytic resistance and systematically evaluated the effectiveness of different strategies for improving the protease stability of AMPs on the same platform for the first time. After a comprehensive analysis, Dab modification is identified as the most effective strategy to improve the trypsin stability of AMPs. By further modulating the proteolytic resistance optimization motif (DabW)n, U1-2WD is obtained with ideal stability and antimicrobial properties in vivo and in vitro. Notably, U1-2WD has a unique antibacterial mechanism, which forms amorphous aggregates in the bacteria environment to trigger the agglutination of bacterial cells to prevent bacterial escape. It then kills bacteria by disrupting bacterial membranes and inhibiting bacterial energy metabolism. Overall, our work has led to a new understanding of the effectiveness of proteolytic resistance strategies and accelerated the development of anti-proteolytic AMPs to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We developed research system and evaluation criteria for proteolytic resistance and systematically evaluated the effectiveness of different strategies for improving protease stability of AMPs on the same platform for the first time. we found effective strategies to resist trypsin hydrolysis: modification with backbone (β-Arg), D-enantiomer (D-Arg) and L-2,4-diaminobutanoic acid (Dab). Further, the proteolytic resistance optimization motif (DabW)n was designed. When n=3, derivative U1-2WD was obtained with desirable stability and antimicrobial properties in vivo and in vitro. Notably, U1-2WD has a unique antibacterial mechanism, which can self-aggregate into amorphous aggregates in the bacteria environment to mediate the agglutination and sedimentation of bacterial cells to prevent bacterial escape, and then kill bacteria by destroying bacterial membranes and inhibiting bacterial energy metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiqi He
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Zhanyi Yang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Xuefeng Li
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Hua Wu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Licong Zhang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China.
| | - Anshan Shan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bhat RAH, Thakuria D, Tandel RS, Khangembam VC, Dash P, Tripathi G, Sarma D. Tools and techniques for rational designing of antimicrobial peptides for aquaculture. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 127:1033-1050. [PMID: 35872334 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.07.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fisheries and aquaculture industries remain essential sources of food and nutrition for millions of people worldwide. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and posed a severe threat to public health. Researchers have opined that antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can be the best possible alternative to curb the rising tide of antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture. AMPs may also help to achieve the objectives of one health approach. The natural AMPs are associated with several shortcomings, like less in vivo stability, toxicity to host cell, high cost of production and low potency in a biological system. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive outline about the strategies for designing synthetic mimics of natural AMPs with high potency. Moreover, the freely available AMP databases and the information about the molecular docking tools are enlisted. We also provided in silico template for rationally designing the AMPs from fish piscidins or other peptides. The rationally designed piscidin (rP1 and rp2) may be used to tackle microbial infections in aquaculture. Further, the protocol can be used to develop the truncated mimics of natural AMPs having more potency and protease stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimpal Thakuria
- ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, 263136, Uttarakhand, India
| | | | - Victoria C Khangembam
- ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, 263136, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Pragyan Dash
- ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, 263136, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Gayatri Tripathi
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Debajit Sarma
- ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal, 263136, Uttarakhand, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Rončević T, Gerdol M, Mardirossian M, Maleš M, Cvjetan S, Benincasa M, Maravić A, Gajski G, Krce L, Aviani I, Hrabar J, Trumbić Ž, Derks M, Pallavicini A, Weingarth M, Zoranić L, Tossi A, Mladineo I. Anisaxins, helical antimicrobial peptides from marine parasites, kill resistant bacteria by lipid extraction and membrane disruption. Acta Biomater 2022; 146:131-144. [PMID: 35470073 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
An infecting and propagating parasite relies on its innate defense system to evade the host's immune response and to survive challenges from commensal bacteria. More so for the nematode Anisakis, a marine parasite that during its life cycle encounters both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts and their highly diverse microbiotas. Although much is still unknown about how the nematode mitigates the effects of these microbiota, its antimicrobial peptides likely play an important role in its survival. We identified anisaxins, the first cecropin-like helical antimicrobial peptides originating from a marine parasite, by mining available genomic and transcriptomic data for Anisakis spp. These peptides are potent bactericidal agents in vitro, selectively active against Gram-negative bacteria, including multi-drug resistant strains, at sub-micromolar concentrations. Their interaction with bacterial membranes was confirmed by solid state NMR (ssNMR) and is highly dependent on the peptide concentration as well as peptide to lipid ratio, as evidenced by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. MD results indicated that an initial step in the membranolytic mode of action involves membrane bulging and lipid extraction; a novel mechanism which may underline the peptides' potency. Subsequent steps include membrane permeabilization leading to leakage of molecules and eventually cell death, but without visible macroscopic damage, as shown by atomic force microscopy and flow cytometry. This membranolytic antibacterial activity does not translate to cytotoxicity towards human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMCs), which was minimal at well above bactericidal concentrations, making anisaxins promising candidates for further drug development. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Witnessing the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance resulting in millions of infected and dozens of thousands dying worldwide every year, we identified anisaxins, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from marine parasites, Anisakis spp., with potent bactericidal activity and selectivity towards multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Anisaxins are membrane-active peptides, whose activity, very sensitive to local peptide concentrations, involves membrane bulging and lipid extraction, leading to membrane permeabilization and bacterial cell death. At the same time, their toxicity towards host cells is negligible, which is often not the case for membrane-active AMPs, therefore making them suitable drug candidates. Membrane bulging and lipid extraction are novel concepts that broaden our understanding of peptide interactions with bacterial functional structures, essential for future design of such biomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Rončević
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, Split 21000, Croatia.
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Mario Mardirossian
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34125, Italy
| | - Matko Maleš
- Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Svjetlana Cvjetan
- Laboratory for Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Monica Benincasa
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Ana Maravić
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Goran Gajski
- Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb 10000, Croatia
| | - Lucija Krce
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Ivica Aviani
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Jerko Hrabar
- Laboratory for Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Željka Trumbić
- University Department of Marine Studies, University of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Maik Derks
- NMR spectroscopy, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, University of Utrecht, Utrecht 3584CH, The Netherlands; Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto Pallavicini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy; Oceanography Division, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS, Trieste, Italy
| | - Markus Weingarth
- NMR spectroscopy, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, University of Utrecht, Utrecht 3584CH, The Netherlands
| | - Larisa Zoranić
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34127, Italy
| | - Ivona Mladineo
- Laboratory of Functional Helminthology, Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Parasitology BC CAS, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice 37005, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rossi L, Kerekes K, Kovács-Kocsi J, Körhegyi Z, Bodnár M, Fazekas E, Prépost E, Pignatelli C, Caneva E, Nicotra F, Russo L. Multivalent γ-PGA-Exendin-4 conjugates to target pancreatic β-cells. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200196. [PMID: 35762648 PMCID: PMC9542156 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Targeting of glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor (GLP‐1R), expressed on the surface of pancreatic β‐cells, is of great interest for the development of advanced therapies for diabetes and diagnostics for insulinoma. We report the conjugation of exendin‐4 (Ex‐4), an approved drug to treat type 2 diabetes, to poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γ‐PGA) to obtain more stable and effective GLP‐1R ligands. Exendin‐4 modified at Lysine‐27 with PEG4‐maleimide was conjugated to γ‐PGA functionalized with furan, in different molar ratios, exploiting a chemoselective Diels‐Alder cycloaddition. The γ‐PGA presenting the highest number of conjugated Ex‐4 molecules (average 120 per polymeric chain) showed a double affinity towards GLP‐1R with respect to exendin per se, paving the way to improved therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Rossi
- University of Milano-Bicocca: Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Biotechnology and Biosciences, ITALY
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cataldo Pignatelli
- University of Milano-Bicocca: Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Biotechnology and Biosciences, ITALY
| | - Enrico Caneva
- Unitech Cospect: Comprehensive Substances Characterization via advances SPECTroscopy, -, ITALY
| | - Francesco Nicotra
- University of Milano-Bicocca: Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Biotechnology and Biosciences, ITALY
| | - Laura Russo
- Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Biotechnology and Biosciences, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, ITALY
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Greve JM, Cowan JA. Tackling antimicrobial stewardship through synergy and antimicrobial peptides. RSC Med Chem 2022; 13:511-521. [PMID: 35694695 PMCID: PMC9132191 DOI: 10.1039/d2md00048b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The unrestricted use of antibiotics has led to rapid development of antibiotic resistance (AR) and renewed calls to address this serious problem. This review summarizes the most common mechanisms of antibiotic action, and in turn antibiotic resistance, as well as pathways to mitigate the harm. Focus is then turned to emerging antibiotic strategies, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), with a discussion of their modes of action, biochemical features, and potential challenges for their use as antibiotics. The role of synergy in antimicrobials is also examined, with a focus on the synergy of AMPs and other emerging interactions with synergistic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna M Greve
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University 100 West 18th Avenue Columbus Ohio 43210 USA +1 614 292 2703
| | - James A Cowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University 100 West 18th Avenue Columbus Ohio 43210 USA +1 614 292 2703
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lai Z, Yuan X, Chen H, Zhu Y, Dong N, Shan A. Strategies employed in the design of antimicrobial peptides with enhanced proteolytic stability. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 59:107962. [PMID: 35452776 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Due to the alarming developing rate of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, the development and modification of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are unprecedentedly active. Despite the fact that considerable efforts have been expended on the discovery and design strategies of AMPs, the clinical translation of peptide antibiotics remains inadequate. A large number of articles and reviews credited the limited success of AMPs to their poor stability in the biological environment, particularly their poor proteolytic stability. In the past forty years, various design strategies have been used to improve the proteolytic stability of AMPs, such as sequence modification, cyclization, peptidomimetics, and nanotechnology. Herein, we focus our discussion on the progress made in improving the proteolytic stability of AMPs and the principle, successes, and limitations of various anti-proteolytic design strategies. It is of prospective significance to extend current insights into the degradation-related inactivation of AMPs and also alleviate/overcome the problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenheng Lai
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Xiaojie Yuan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yunhui Zhu
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Na Dong
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Anshan Shan
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Klubthawee N, Bovone G, Marco‐Dufort B, Guzzi EA, Aunpad R, Tibbitt MW. Biopolymer Nano-Network for Antimicrobial Peptide Protection and Local Delivery. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2101426. [PMID: 34936732 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202101426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) develops when bacteria no longer respond to conventional antimicrobial treatment. The limited treatment options for resistant infections result in a significantly increased medical burden. Antimicrobial peptides offer advantages for treatment of resistant infections, including broad-spectrum activity and lower risk of resistance development. However, sensitivity to proteolytic cleavage often limits their clinical application. Here, a moldable and biodegradable colloidal nano-network is presented that protects bioactive peptides from enzymatic degradation and delivers them locally. An antimicrobial peptide, PA-13, is encapsulated electrostatically into positively and negatively charged nanoparticles made of chitosan and dextran sulfate without requiring chemical modification. Mixing and concentration of oppositely charged particles form a nano-network with the rheological properties of a cream or injectable hydrogel. After exposure to proteolytic enzymes, the formed nano-network loaded with PA-13 eliminates Pseudomonas aeruginosa during in vitro culture and in an ex vivo porcine skin model while the unencapsulated PA-13 shows no antibacterial effect. This demonstrates the ability of the nano-network to protect the antimicrobial peptide in an enzyme-challenged environment, such as a wound bed. Overall, the nano-network presents a useful platform for antimicrobial peptide protection and delivery without impacting peptide bioactivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natthaporn Klubthawee
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Thammasat University Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Giovanni Bovone
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering ETH Zurich Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Bruno Marco‐Dufort
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering ETH Zurich Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Elia A. Guzzi
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering ETH Zurich Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| | - Ratchaneewan Aunpad
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences Faculty of Allied Health Sciences Thammasat University Pathum Thani 12120 Thailand
| | - Mark W. Tibbitt
- Macromolecular Engineering Laboratory Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering ETH Zurich Zurich 8092 Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ajish C, Yang S, Kumar SD, Kim EY, Min HJ, Lee CW, Shin SH, Shin SY. A novel hybrid peptide composed of LfcinB6 and KR-12-a4 with enhanced antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-biofilm activities. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4365. [PMID: 35288606 PMCID: PMC8921290 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08247-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybridizing two known antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is a simple and effective strategy for designing antimicrobial agents with enhanced cell selectivity against bacterial cells. Here, we generated a hybrid peptide Lf-KR in which LfcinB6 and KR-12-a4 were linked with a Pro hinge to obtain a novel AMP with potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biofilm activities. Lf-KR exerted superior cell selectivity for bacterial cells over sheep red blood cells. Lf-KR showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities (MIC: 4–8 μM) against tested 12 bacterial strains and retained its antimicrobial activity in the presence of salts at physiological concentrations. Membrane depolarization and dye leakage assays showed that the enhanced antimicrobial activity of Lf-KR was due to increased permeabilization and depolarization of microbial membranes. Lf-KR significantly inhibited the expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‐α) in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In addition, Lf-KR showed a powerful eradication effect on preformed multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) biofilms. We confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy that a large portion of the preformed MDRPA biofilm structure was perturbed by the addition of Lf-KR. Collectively, our results suggest that Lf-KR can be an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biofilm candidate as a pharmaceutical agent.
Collapse
|
19
|
In Vitro & In Vivo Studies on Identifying and Designing Temporin-1CEh from the Skin Secretion of Rana chensinensis as the Optimised Antibacterial Prototype Drug. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030604. [PMID: 35335979 PMCID: PMC8949600 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibian skin secretion is an ideal source of antimicrobial peptides that are difficult to induce drug resistance to due to their membrane-targeting mechanism as a new treatment scheme. In this study, a natural antimicrobial peptide Temporin-1CEh was identified by molecular cloning and mass spectrometry from the skin secretions of the Chinese forest frog (Rana chensinensis). Through the study of the structure and biological activity, it was found that Temporin-1CEh was a helical peptide from the Temporin family, and possessed good anti-Gram-positive bacteria activity through the mechanism of membrane destruction. Seven analogues were further designed to obtain broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and higher stability in different physiological conditions. The results showed that T1CEh-KKPWW showed potent antibacterial activity with significantly increasing the activity against Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and in vivo with low haemolysis. In addition, T1CEh-KKPWW2 showed high sensitivity to the pH, serum or salts conditions, which applied a branched structure to allow the active units of the peptide to accumulate. Even though the haemolytic activity was increased, the stable antibacterial activity made this novel analogue meet the conditions to become a potential candidate in future antimicrobial and antibiofilm applications.
Collapse
|
20
|
de Souza GS, de Jesus Sonego L, Santos Mundim AC, de Miranda Moraes J, Sales-Campos H, Lorenzón EN. Antimicrobial-wound healing peptides: Dual-function molecules for the treatment of skin injuries. Peptides 2022; 148:170707. [PMID: 34896165 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic non-healing wounds caused by microbial infections extend the necessity for hospital care and constitute a public health problem and a great financial burden. Classic therapies include a wide range of approaches, from wound debridement to vascular surgery. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a preserved trait of the innate immune response among different animal species, with known effects on the immune system and microorganisms. Thus, AMPs may represent promising candidates for the treatment of chronic wounds with dual functionality in two of the main agents that lead to this condition, proliferation of microorganisms and uncontrolled inflammation. Here, our goal is to critically review AMPs with wound healing properties. We strongly believe that these dual-function peptides alone, or in combination with other wound healing strategies, constitute an underexplored field that researchers can take advantage of.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Helioswilton Sales-Campos
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Luong HX, Ngan HD, Thi Phuong HB, Quoc TN, Tung TT. Multiple roles of ribosomal antimicrobial peptides in tackling global antimicrobial resistance. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:211583. [PMID: 35116161 PMCID: PMC8790363 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.211583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the last century, conventional antibiotics have played a significant role in global healthcare. Antibiotics support the body in controlling bacterial infection and simultaneously increase the tendency of drug resistance. Consequently, there is a severe concern regarding the regression of the antibiotic era. Despite the use of antibiotics, host defence systems are vital in fighting infectious diseases. In fact, the expression of ribosomal antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) has been crucial in the evolution of innate host defences and has been irreplaceable to date. Therefore, this valuable source is considered to have great potential in tackling the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Furthermore, the possibility of bacterial resistance to AMPs has been intensively investigated. Here, we summarize all aspects related to the multiple applications of ribosomal AMPs and their derivatives in combating AMR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huy Xuan Luong
- Faculty of Pharmacy, PHENIKAA University, Hanoi 12116, Vietnam
- PHENIKAA Institute for Advanced Study (PIAS), PHENIKAA University, Hanoi 12116, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Thang Nguyen Quoc
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Vinmec Healthcare System, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Truong Thanh Tung
- Faculty of Pharmacy, PHENIKAA University, Hanoi 12116, Vietnam
- PHENIKAA Institute for Advanced Study (PIAS), PHENIKAA University, Hanoi 12116, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mbuayama KR, Taute H, Strӧmstedt AA, Bester MJ, Gaspar ARM. Antifungal activity and mode of action of synthetic peptides derived from the tick OsDef2 defensin. J Pept Sci 2021; 28:e3383. [PMID: 34866278 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Candida albicans is the principal opportunistic fungal pathogen in nosocomial settings and resistance to antifungal drugs is on the rise. Antimicrobial peptides from natural sources are promising novel therapeutics against C. albicans. OsDef2 defensin was previously found to be active against only Gram-positive bacteria, whereas derived fragments Os and its cysteine-free analogue, Os-C, are active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at low micromolar concentrations. In this study, OsDef2-derived analogues and fragments were screened for anticandidal activity with the aim to identify peptides with antifungal activity and in so doing obtain a better understanding of the structural requirements for activity and modes of action. Os, Os-C and Os(11-22)NH2 , a Os-truncated carboxy-terminal-amidated fragment, had the most significant antifungal activities, with minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) in the micromolar range (6-28 μM). C. albicans killing was rapid and occurred within 30-60 min. Further investigations showed all three peptides interacted with cell wall derived polysaccharides while both Os and Os(11-22)NH2 permeabilized fungal liposomes. Confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed that Os-C and Os(11-22)NH2 could enter the cytosol of live cells and subsequent findings suggest that the uptake of Os and Os-C, in contrast to Os(11-22)NH2 , is energy dependent. Although Os, Os-C and Os(11-22)NH2 induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), co-incubation with ascorbic acid revealed that only ROS generated by Os-C and to a lesser extent Os(11-22)NH2 resulted in cell death. Overall, Os, Os-C and Os(11-22)NH2 are promising candidacidal agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kabuzi R Mbuayama
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Helena Taute
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Adam A Strӧmstedt
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Megan J Bester
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anabella R M Gaspar
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Martell EM, González-Garcia M, Ständker L, Otero-González AJ. Host defense peptides as immunomodulators: The other side of the coin. Peptides 2021; 146:170644. [PMID: 34464592 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) exhibit a broad range of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. In this sense, both functions are like different sides of the same coin. The direct antimicrobial side was discovered first, and widely studied for the development of anti-infective therapies. In contrast, the immunomodulatory side was recognized later and in the last 20 years the interest in this field has been continuously growing. Different to their antimicrobial activities, the immunomodulatory activities of host defense peptides are more effective in vivo. They offer a great opportunity for new therapeutic applications in the fields of anti-infective therapy, chronic inflammatory diseases treatment, novel vaccine adjuvants development and anticancer immunotherapy. These immune related functions of HDPs includes chemoattraction of leukocytes, modulation of inflammation, enhancement of antigen presentation and polarization of adaptive immune responses. Our attempt with this review is to make a careful evaluation of different aspects of the less explored, but attractive immunomodulatory side of the HDP functional coin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto M Martell
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, Havana University, Cuba
| | | | - Ludger Ständker
- Core Facility Functional Peptidomics (CFP), Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
An Antibacterial Peptide with High Resistance to Trypsin Obtained by Substituting d-Amino Acids for Trypsin Cleavage Sites. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10121465. [PMID: 34943677 PMCID: PMC8698302 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10121465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor stability of antibacterial peptide to protease limits its clinical application. Among these limitations, trypsin mainly exists in digestive tract, which is an insurmountable obstacle to orally delivered peptides. OM19R is a random curly polyproline cationic antimicrobial peptide, which has high antibacterial activity against some gram-negative bacteria, but its stability against pancreatin is poor. According to the structure-activity relationship of OM19R, all cationic amino acid residues (l-arginine and l-lysine) at the trypsin cleavage sites were replaced with corresponding d-amino acid residues to obtain the designed peptide OM19D, which not only maintained its antibacterial activity but also enhanced the stability of trypsin. Proceeding high concentrations of trypsin and long-time (such as 10 mg/mL, 8 h) treatment, it still had high antibacterial activity (MIC = 16–32 µg/mL). In addition, OM19D also showed high stability to serum, plasma and other environmental factors. It is similar to its parent peptide in secondary structure and mechanism of action. Therefore, this strategy is beneficial to improve the protease stability of antibacterial peptides.
Collapse
|
25
|
Sudadech P, Roytrakul S, Kaewprasert O, Sirichoat A, Chetchotisakd P, Kanthawong S, Faksri K. Assessment of in vitro activities of novel modified antimicrobial peptides against clarithromycin resistant Mycobacterium abscessus. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260003. [PMID: 34780520 PMCID: PMC8592419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium abscessus (Mab) is one of the most drug resistant bacteria with a high treatment failure rate. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are alternative therapeutic agents against this infection. This study was aimed to assess the in vitro activities of thirteen AMPs (S5, S52, S6, S61, S62, S63, KLK, KLK1, KLK2, Pug-1, Pug-2, Pug-3 and Pug-4) that have never been investigated against drug resistant Mab isolates. Only four novel modified AMPs (S61, S62, S63 and KLK1) provided the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 200–400 μg/ml against the Mab ATCC19977 strain. These four potential AMPs were further tested with 16 clinical isolates of clarithromycin resistant Mab. The majority of the tested strains (10/16 isolates, 62.5%) showed ~99% kill by all four AMPs within 24 hours with an MIC <50 μg/ml. Only two isolates (12.5%) with acquired clarithromycin resistance, however, exhibited values <50 μg/ml of four potential AMPs, S61, S62, S63 and KLK1 after 3-days-incubation. At the MICs level, S63 showed the lowest toxicity with 1.50% hemolysis and 100% PBMC viability whereas KLK1 showed the highest hemolysis (10.21%) and lowest PBMC viability (93.52%). S61, S62 and S63 were further tested with clarithromycin-AMP interaction assays and found that 5/10 (50%) of selected isolates exhibited a synergistic interaction with 0.02–0.41 FICI values. This present study demonstrated the potential application of novel AMPs as an adjunctive treatment with clarithromycin against drug resistant Mab infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phantitra Sudadech
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Genome Institute, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Orawee Kaewprasert
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Auttawit Sirichoat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Ploenchan Chetchotisakd
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sakawrat Kanthawong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Kiatichai Faksri
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Panchal D, Kataria J, Patel K, Crowe K, Pai V, Azizogli AR, Kadian N, Sanyal S, Roy A, Dodd-O J, Acevedo-Jake AM, Kumar VA. Peptide-Based Inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021; 4:2100104. [PMID: 34514085 PMCID: PMC8420164 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The COVID‐19 (coronavirus disease) global pandemic, caused by the spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus, currently has limited treatment options which include vaccines, anti‐virals, and repurposed therapeutics. With their high specificity, tunability, and biocompatibility, small molecules like peptides are positioned to act as key players in combating SARS‐CoV‐2, and can be readily modified to match viral mutation rate. A recent expansion of the understanding of the viral structure and entry mechanisms has led to the proliferation of therapeutic viral entry inhibitors. In this comprehensive review, inhibitors of SARS and SARS‐CoV‐2 are investigated and discussed based on therapeutic design, inhibitory mechanistic approaches, and common targets. Peptide therapeutics are highlighted, which have demonstrated in vitro or in vivo efficacy, discuss advantages of peptide therapeutics, and common strategies in identifying targets for viral inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Disha Panchal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Jeena Kataria
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Kamiya Patel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Kaytlyn Crowe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Varun Pai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Abdul-Rahman Azizogli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Neil Kadian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Sreya Sanyal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Abhishek Roy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Joseph Dodd-O
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Amanda M Acevedo-Jake
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Vivek A Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering Department of Chemical Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark NJ 07102 USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Creane SE, Carlile SR, Downey D, Weldon S, Dalton JP, Taggart CC. The Impact of Lung Proteases on Snake-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081106. [PMID: 34439773 PMCID: PMC8394243 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory infections are a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality and are of significant concern for individuals with chronic inflammatory lung diseases. There is an urgent need for novel antimicrobials. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring innate immune response peptides with therapeutic potential. However, therapeutic development has been hindered by issues with stability and cytotoxicity. Availing of direct drug delivery to the affected site, for example the lung, can reduce unwanted systemic side effects and lower the required dose. As cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lungs typically exhibit elevated protease levels, the aim of this study was to assess their impact on snake-derived AMPs. Peptide cleavage was determined using SDS-PAGE and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of neutrophil elastase (NE)-incubated peptides were assessed using a radial diffusion assay (RDA) and an in vitro LPS-induced inflammation model, respectively. Although the snake-derived AMPs were found to be susceptible to cleavage by lung proteases including NE, several retained their function following NE-incubation. This facilitated the design of novel truncated derivatives that retained functionality following NE incubation. Snake-derived AMPs are tractable candidate treatments for use in environments that feature elevated NE levels, such as the CF airways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannice E. Creane
- Airway Innate Immunity Research (AiiR) Group, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (S.E.C.); (S.R.C.); (S.W.)
| | - Simon R. Carlile
- Airway Innate Immunity Research (AiiR) Group, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (S.E.C.); (S.R.C.); (S.W.)
| | - Damian Downey
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK;
| | - Sinéad Weldon
- Airway Innate Immunity Research (AiiR) Group, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (S.E.C.); (S.R.C.); (S.W.)
| | - John P. Dalton
- Zoology Department, School of Natural Sciences, Centre for One Health, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Clifford C. Taggart
- Airway Innate Immunity Research (AiiR) Group, Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (S.E.C.); (S.R.C.); (S.W.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Antimicrobial peptides as potential therapeutics for breast cancer. Pharmacol Res 2021; 171:105777. [PMID: 34298112 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer in women worldwide. Although notable advances have been achieved in the treatment of breast cancer, the overall survival rate of metastatic breast cancer patients is still considerably low due to the development of resistance to breast cancer chemotherapeutic agents and the non-optimal specificity of the current generation of cancer medications. Hence, there is a growing interest in the search for alternative therapeutics with novel anticancer mechanisms. Recently, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained much attention due to their cost-effectiveness, high specificity of action, and robust efficacy. However, there are no clinical data available about their efficacy. This warrants the increasing need for clinical trials to be conducted to assess the efficacy of this new class of drugs. Here, we will focus on the recent progress in the use of AMPs for breast cancer therapy and will highlight their modes of action. Finally, we will discuss the combination of AMP-based therapeutics with other breast cancer therapy strategies, including nanotherapy and chemotherapy, which may provide a potential avenue for overcoming drug resistance.
Collapse
|
30
|
Chen Z, Zhou C, Xu Y, Wen K, Song J, Bai S, Wu C, Huang W, Cai Q, Zhou K, Wang H, Wang Y, Feng X, Bai Y. An alternatingly amphiphilic, resistance-resistant antimicrobial oligoguanidine with dual mechanisms of action. Biomaterials 2021; 275:120858. [PMID: 34044257 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The increasing number of infections caused by multi-drug resistance (MDR) bacteria is an omen of a new global challenge. As one of the countermeasures under development, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and AMP mimics have emerged as a new family of antimicrobial agents with high potential, due to their low resistance generation rate and effectiveness against MDR bacterial strains resulted from their membrane-disrupting mechanism of action. However, most reported AMPs and AMP mimics have facially amphiphilic structures, which may lead to undesired self-aggregation and non-specific binding, as well as increased cytotoxicity toward mammalian cells, all of which put significant limits on their applications. Here, we report an oligomer with the size of short AMPs, with both hydrophobic carbon chain and cationic groups placed on its backbone, giving an alternatingly amphiphilic structure that brings better selectivity between mammalian and bacterial cell membranes. In addition, the oligomer shows affinity toward DNA, thus it can utilize bacterial DNA located in the vulnerable nucleoid as the second drug target. Benefiting from these designs, the oligomer shows higher therapeutic index and synergistic effect with other antibiotics, while its low resistance generation rate and effectiveness on multi-drug resistant bacterial strains can be maintained. We demonstrate that this alternatingly amphiphilic, DNA-binding oligomer is not only resistance-resistant, but is also able to selectively eliminate bacteria at the presence of mammalian cells. Importantly, the oligomer exhibits good in vivo activity: it cleans all bacteria on Caenorhabditis elegans without causing apparent toxicity, and significantly improves the survival rate of mice with severely infected wounds in a mice excision wound model study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Chen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Cailing Zhou
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China; School of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Yangfan Xu
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China; School of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Kang Wen
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Junfeng Song
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Silei Bai
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Chenxuan Wu
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Qingyun Cai
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518035, China; The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratories, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yingjie Wang
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China
| | - Xinxin Feng
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Yugang Bai
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Nanomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Chem-/Bio-Sensing and Chemometrics, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, And School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Thompson Z, Greve JM, Cowan JA. Enhanced Synergism and Mechanism of Action Studies of Synthetic Antimicrobial Metallopeptides. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:2112-2120. [PMID: 33825350 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are found throughout most kingdoms of life, are an important part of host immunity, and have been shown to act synergistically in various organisms to ameliorate bacterial infections. Herein, we report the synergistic behavior observed between two AMPs, Sub5 and CP10A, against E. coli. In addition, enhanced synergistic activity against E. coli and MRSA 43300 for two derivatives of Sub5, extended with the amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) binding motif, is observed when dosed together with CP10A, while displaying little cytotoxicity towards human dermal fibroblasts. All three combinations of peptides co-localized within bacterial cells as evidenced by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Investigations into the mechanism of synergy shows that all peptides indirectly damage DNA within cells, while only the ATCUN derivatives can oxidize phospholipids. Combinations of peptides were also shown to upregulate the concentration of reactive oxygen species within both E. coli and MRSA 43300. These results suggest that the production of reactive oxygen species is an important aspect mechanistically and further highlights the potential of these metallopeptides to aid in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zechariah Thompson
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Evans Laboratory of Chemistry 100, West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Jenna M Greve
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Evans Laboratory of Chemistry 100, West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - James Allan Cowan
- Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Evans Laboratory of Chemistry 100, West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Potential therapeutic applications of AKAP disrupting peptides. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 134:3259-3282. [PMID: 33346357 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/PKA pathway represents a major target for pharmacological intervention in multiple disease conditions. Although the last decade saw the concept of highly compartmentalized cAMP/PKA signaling consolidating, current means for the manipulation of this pathway still do not allow to specifically intervene on discrete cAMP/PKA microdomains. Since compartmentalization is crucial for action specificity, identifying new tools that allow local modulation of cAMP/PKA responses is an urgent need. Among key players of cAMP/PKA signaling compartmentalization, a major role is played by A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) that, by definition, anchor PKA, its substrates and its regulators within multiprotein complexes in well-confined subcellular compartments. Different tools have been conceived to interfere with AKAP-based protein-protein interactions (PPIs), and these primarily include peptides and peptidomimetics that disrupt AKAP-directed multiprotein complexes. While these molecules have been extensively used to understand the molecular mechanisms behind AKAP function in pathophysiological processes, less attention has been devoted to their potential application for therapy. In this review, we will discuss how AKAP-based PPIs can be pharmacologically targeted by synthetic peptides and peptidomimetics.
Collapse
|
33
|
D’Souza AR, Necelis MR, Kulesha A, Caputo GA, Makhlynets OV. Beneficial Impacts of Incorporating the Non-Natural Amino Acid Azulenyl-Alanine into the Trp-Rich Antimicrobial Peptide buCATHL4B. Biomolecules 2021; 11:421. [PMID: 33809374 PMCID: PMC8001250 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) present a promising scaffold for the development of potent antimicrobial agents. Substitution of tryptophan by non-natural amino acid Azulenyl-Alanine (AzAla) would allow studying the mechanism of action of AMPs by using unique properties of this amino acid, such as ability to be excited separately from tryptophan in a multi-Trp AMPs and environmental insensitivity. In this work, we investigate the effect of Trp→AzAla substitution in antimicrobial peptide buCATHL4B (contains three Trp side chains). We found that antimicrobial and bactericidal activity of the original peptide was preserved, while cytocompatibility with human cells and proteolytic stability was improved. We envision that AzAla will find applications as a tool for studies of the mechanism of action of AMPs. In addition, incorporation of this non-natural amino acid into AMP sequences could enhance their application properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Areetha R. D’Souza
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (A.R.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Matthew R. Necelis
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; (M.R.N.); (G.A.C.)
| | - Alona Kulesha
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (A.R.D.); (A.K.)
| | - Gregory A. Caputo
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA; (M.R.N.); (G.A.C.)
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biosciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
| | - Olga V. Makhlynets
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA; (A.R.D.); (A.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jiang Y, Chen Y, Song Z, Tan Z, Cheng J. Recent advances in design of antimicrobial peptides and polypeptides toward clinical translation. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 170:261-280. [PMID: 33400958 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The recent outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens have sounded a piercing alarm for the need of new effective antimicrobial agents to guard public health. Among different types of candidates, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and the synthetic mimics of AMPs (SMAMPs) have attracted significant enthusiasm in the past thirty years, due to their unique membrane-active antimicrobial mechanism and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The extensive research has brought many drug candidates into clinical and pre-clinical development. Despite tremendous progresses have been made, several major challenges inherent to current design strategies have slowed down the clinical translational development of AMPs and SMAMPs. However, these challenges also triggered many efforts to redesign and repurpose AMPs. In this review, we will first give an overview on AMPs and their synthetic mimics, and then discuss the current status of their clinical translation. Finally, the recent advances in redesign and repurposing AMPs and SMAMPs are highlighted.
Collapse
|
35
|
Dijksteel GS, Ulrich MMW, Middelkoop E, Boekema BKHL. Review: Lessons Learned From Clinical Trials Using Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs). Front Microbiol 2021; 12:616979. [PMID: 33692766 PMCID: PMC7937881 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.616979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or host defense peptides protect the host against various pathogens such as yeast, fungi, viruses and bacteria. AMPs also display immunomodulatory properties ranging from the modulation of inflammatory responses to the promotion of wound healing. More interestingly, AMPs cause cell disruption through non-specific interactions with the membrane surface of pathogens. This is most likely responsible for the low or limited emergence of bacterial resistance against many AMPs. Despite the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the potency of novel AMPs to combat such pathogens, only a few AMPs are in clinical use. Therefore, the current review describes (i) the potential of AMPs as alternatives to antibiotics, (ii) the challenges toward clinical implementation of AMPs and (iii) strategies to improve the success rate of AMPs in clinical trials, emphasizing the lessons we could learn from these trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle S Dijksteel
- Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, Netherlands.,Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Magda M W Ulrich
- Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, Netherlands.,Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Esther Middelkoop
- Association of Dutch Burn Centres, Beverwijk, Netherlands.,Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Shwaiki LN, Arendt EK, Lynch KM. Plant compounds for the potential reduction of food waste - a focus on antimicrobial peptides. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:4242-4265. [PMID: 33480260 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1873733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A large portion of global food waste is caused by microbial spoilage. The modern approach to preserve food is to apply different hurdles for microbial pathogens to overcome. These vary from thermal processes and chemical additives, to the application of irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging. Even though such preservative techniques exist, loss of food to spoilage still prevails. Plant compounds and peptides represent an untapped source of potential novel natural food preservatives. Of these, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are very promising for exploitation. AMPs are a significant component of a plant's innate defense system. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential application of these AMPs; however, more studies, particularly in the area of food preservation are warranted. This review examines the literature on the application of AMPs and other plant compounds for the purpose of reducing food losses and waste (including crop protection). A focus is placed on the plant defensins, their natural extraction and synthetic production, and their safety and application in food preservation. In addition, current challenges and impediments to their full exploitation are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laila N Shwaiki
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Elke K Arendt
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kieran M Lynch
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cardoso P, Glossop H, Meikle TG, Aburto-Medina A, Conn CE, Sarojini V, Valery C. Molecular engineering of antimicrobial peptides: microbial targets, peptide motifs and translation opportunities. Biophys Rev 2021; 13:35-69. [PMID: 33495702 PMCID: PMC7817352 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00784-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance has led the scientific community to highly engage into research on alternative strategies to the traditional small molecule therapeutics. Here, we review one of the most popular alternatives amongst basic and applied research scientists, synthetic antimicrobial peptides. The ease of peptide chemical synthesis combined with emerging engineering principles and potent broad-spectrum activity, including against multidrug-resistant strains, has motivated intense scientific focus on these compounds for the past decade. This global effort has resulted in significant advances in our understanding of peptide antimicrobial activity at the molecular scale. Recent evidence of molecular targets other than the microbial lipid membrane, and efforts towards consensus antimicrobial peptide motifs, have supported the rise of molecular engineering approaches and design tools, including machine learning. Beyond molecular concepts, supramolecular chemistry has been lately added to the debate; and helped unravel the impact of peptide self-assembly on activity, including on biofilms and secondary targets, while providing new directions in pharmaceutical formulation through taking advantage of peptide self-assembled nanostructures. We argue that these basic research advances constitute a solid basis for promising industry translation of rationally designed synthetic peptide antimicrobials, not only as novel drugs against multidrug-resistant strains but also as components of emerging antimicrobial biomaterials. This perspective is supported by recent developments of innovative peptide-based and peptide-carrier nanobiomaterials that we also review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Cardoso
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hugh Glossop
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | - Celine Valery
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Sala V, Cnudde SJ, Murabito A, Massarotti A, Hirsch E, Ghigo A. Therapeutic peptides for the treatment of cystic fibrosis: Challenges and perspectives. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 213:113191. [PMID: 33493828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common amongst rare genetic diseases, affecting more than 70.000 people worldwide. CF is characterized by a dysfunctional chloride channel, termed cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR), which leads to the production of a thick and viscous mucus layer that clogs the lungs of CF patients and traps pathogens, leading to chronic infections and inflammation and, ultimately, lung damage. In recent years, the use of peptides for the treatment of respiratory diseases, including CF, has gained growing interest. Therapeutic peptides for CF include antimicrobial peptides, inhibitors of proteases, and modulators of ion channels, among others. Peptides display unique features that make them appealing candidates for clinical translation, like specificity of action, high efficacy, and low toxicity. Nevertheless, the intrinsic properties of peptides, together with the need of delivering these compounds locally, e.g. by inhalation, raise a number of concerns in the development of peptide therapeutics for CF lung disease. In this review, we discuss the challenges related to the use of peptides for the treatment of CF lung disease through inhalation, which include retention within mucus, proteolysis, immunogenicity and aggregation. Strategies for overcoming major shortcomings of peptide therapeutics will be presented, together with recent developments in peptide design and optimization, including computational analysis and high-throughput screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Sala
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Sophie Julie Cnudde
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandra Murabito
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Alberto Massarotti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Piemonte Orientale "A. Avogadro", Largo Donegani 2, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Emilio Hirsch
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy; Kither Biotech S.r.l., Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ghigo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy; Kither Biotech S.r.l., Via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Lee EJ, Kim J, Jeong MK, Lee YM, Chung YJ, Kim EM. Whitening effect of novel peptide mixture by regulating melanosome biogenesis, transfer and degradation. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 25:15-26. [PMID: 33361534 PMCID: PMC7756534 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2021.25.1.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Peptides are short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They are widely used as effective and biocompatible active ingredients in cosmetic industry. In this study, we developed novel peptide mixture and identified its anti-pigmentation effect on melanocytes and keratinocytes. Our results revealed that peptide mixture inhibited melanosome biogenesis through the regulation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, a key factor of melanogenesis in melanocytes. And we observed that peptide mixture inhibited melanosome uptake through the reduction of protease-activated receptor 2, a phagocytosis-related receptor in keratinocytes. Furthermore, peptide mixture activated autophagy system resulting in degradation of transferred melanosomes in keratinocytes. The anti-pigmentation effect of multi-targeting peptide mixture was assessed in a human skin equivalent model (MelanoDerm). Melanin contents in epidermal layer were significantly decreased by topical treatment of peptide mixture, suggesting that it can be applied as a novel cosmetics material having a whitening function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jandi Kim
- Caregen R&D Center, Anyang 14119, Korea
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lu J, Xu H, Xia J, Ma J, Xu J, Li Y, Feng J. D- and Unnatural Amino Acid Substituted Antimicrobial Peptides With Improved Proteolytic Resistance and Their Proteolytic Degradation Characteristics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:563030. [PMID: 33281761 PMCID: PMC7688903 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.563030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from the laboratory to market has been severely hindered by their instability toward proteases in biological systems. In the present study, we synthesized derivatives of the cationic AMP Pep05 (KRLFKKLLKYLRKF) by substituting L-amino acid residues with D- and unnatural amino acids, such as D-lysine, D-arginine, L-2,4-diaminobutanoic acid (Dab), L-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (Dap), L-homoarginine, 4-aminobutanoic acid (Aib), and L-thienylalanine, and evaluated their antimicrobial activities, toxicities, and stabilities toward trypsin, plasma proteases, and secreted bacterial proteases. In addition to measuring changes in the concentration of the intact peptides, LC-MS was used to identify the degradation products of the modified AMPs in the presence of trypsin and plasma proteases to determine degradation pathways and examine whether the amino acid substitutions afforded improved proteolytic resistance. The results revealed that both D- and unnatural amino acids enhanced the stabilities of the peptides toward proteases. The derivative DP06, in which all of the L-lysine and L-arginine residues were replaced by D-amino acids, displayed remarkable stability and mild toxicity in vitro but only slight activity and severe toxicity in vivo, indicating a significant difference between the in vivo and in vitro results. Unexpectedly, we found that the incorporation of a single Aib residue at the N-terminus of compound UP09 afforded remarkably enhanced plasma stability and improved activity in vivo. Hence, this derivative may represent a candidate AMP for further optimization, providing a new strategy for the design of novel AMPs with improved bioavailability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianguang Lu
- Key State Laboratory of Drug Innovation and Pharmaceutical Technology, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China.,Department of Peptide Drugs R&D, Shanghai Duomirui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Hongjiang Xu
- Key State Laboratory of Drug Innovation and Pharmaceutical Technology, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China.,Department of Drug Evaluation and Research, Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Jianghua Xia
- Key State Laboratory of Drug Innovation and Pharmaceutical Technology, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of Peptide Drugs R&D, Shanghai Duomirui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of Peptide Drugs R&D, Shanghai Duomirui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Li
- Key State Laboratory of Drug Innovation and Pharmaceutical Technology, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Feng
- Key State Laboratory of Drug Innovation and Pharmaceutical Technology, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai, China.,Department of Peptide Drugs R&D, Shanghai Duomirui Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kazemzadeh-Narbat M, Cheng H, Chabok R, Alvarez MM, de la Fuente-Nunez C, Phillips KS, Khademhosseini A. Strategies for antimicrobial peptide coatings on medical devices: a review and regulatory science perspective. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2020; 41:94-120. [PMID: 33070659 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2020.1828810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Indwelling and implanted medical devices are subject to contamination by microbial pathogens during surgery, insertion or injection, and ongoing use, often resulting in severe nosocomial infections. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics to reduce the incidence of such infections, as they exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, microbial biofilms, fungi, and viruses. In this review-perspective, we first provide an overview of the progress made in this field over the past decade with an emphasis on the local release of AMPs from implant surfaces and immobilization strategies for incorporating these agents into a wide range of medical device materials. We then provide a regulatory science perspective addressing the characterization and testing of AMP coatings based on the type of immobilization strategy used with a focus on the US market regulatory niche. Our goal is to help narrow the gulf between academic studies and preclinical testing, as well as to support a future literature base in order to develop the regulatory science of antimicrobial coatings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Kazemzadeh-Narbat
- Office of Device Evaluation, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hao Cheng
- Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rosa Chabok
- Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN, USA
| | - Mario Moisés Alvarez
- Biomaterials Innovation Research Center, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Microsystems Technologies Laboratories, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, México
| | - Cesar de la Fuente-Nunez
- Machine Biology Group, Departments of Psychiatry and Microbiology, Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, Penn Institute for Computational Science, and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - K Scott Phillips
- Division of Biology, Chemistry and Materials Science, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Department of Bioengineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Bioindustrial Technologies, College of Animal Bioscience and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) and its C-terminal 12-residue peptide, PAMP(9-20): Cell selectivity and antimicrobial mechanism. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 527:744-750. [PMID: 32439180 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.04.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) is a regulatory peptide that is found in various cell types. It is involved in many biological activities and is rich in basic and hydrophobic amino acids, a common feature of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In this study, the cell selectivity and antimicrobial mechanism of PAMP and its C-terminal peptide, PAMP(9-20), were investigated. PAMP and PAMP(9-20) displayed potent antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration: 4-32 μM) against standard bacterial strains, but showed no hemolytic activity even at the highest tested concentration of 256 μM. PAMP(9-20) showed 2- to 4-fold increase in antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria compared to PAMP. Cytoplasmic membrane depolarization, leakage of calcein dye from membrane mimic liposomes, SYTOX Green uptake, membrane permeabilization, and flow cytometry studies indicated that the major target of PAMP and PAMP(9-20) is not the microbial cell membrane. Interestingly, laser-scanning confocal microscopy demonstrated that FITC-labeled PAMP and PAMP(9-20) enter the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli similar to buforin-2, and gel retardation assay indicated that PAMP and PAMP(9-20) effectively bind to bacterial DNA. These results suggest that the intracellular target mechanism is responsible for the antimicrobial action of PAMP and PAMP(9-20). Collectively, PAMP and PAMP(9-20) could be considered promising candidates for the development of new antimicrobial agents.
Collapse
|
43
|
Wang M, Wang H, Niu CQ, Zhang T, Wu Z, Li Z. Tetrazine-TCO Ligation: A Potential Simple Approach to Improve Tumor Uptake through Enhanced Blood Circulation. Bioconjug Chem 2020; 31:1795-1803. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mengzhe Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| | - Crystal Q. Niu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| | - Zibo Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Gunasekera S, Muhammad T, Strömstedt AA, Rosengren KJ, Göransson U. Backbone Cyclization and Dimerization of LL-37-Derived Peptides Enhance Antimicrobial Activity and Proteolytic Stability. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:168. [PMID: 32153522 PMCID: PMC7046553 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Can antimicrobial activity and peptide stability of alpha-helical peptides be increased by making them into dimers and macrocycles? Here, we explore that concept by using KR-12 as the starting point for peptide engineering. KR-12 has previously been determined as the minimalized antimicrobial fragment of the human host defense peptide LL-37. Backbone-cyclized KR-12 dimers, tethered by linkers of two to four amino acid residues, were synthesized and their antimicrobial activity, proteolytic stability and structures characterized. A modified KR-12 sequence, with substitutions at previously identified key residues, were also included in the screening panel. The backbone cyclized KR-12 dimers showed improved antimicrobial activity and increased stability compared to monomeric KR-12. The most active cyclic dimer displayed 16-fold higher antibacterial activity compared to KR-12 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, and 8-fold increased fungicidal activity against Candida albicans. It also showed increased hemolytic and cytotoxic activity. Enhanced antimicrobial activity coincided with increased membrane permeabilization of liposomes with one distinct discrepancy: monomeric KR-12 was much less disruptive of liposomes with bacterial lipid composition compared to liposomes from fungal lipid extract. Circular dichroism showed that the four-residue linked most active cyclic dimer had 65% helical content when bound to lyso-phosphatidylglycerol micelles, indicating that the helical propensity of the parent peptide is maintained in the new macrocyclic form. In conclusion, the current work on KR-12 suggests that dimerization together with backbone cyclization is an effective strategy for improving both potency and stability of linear antimicrobial peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunithi Gunasekera
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Taj Muhammad
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Adam A Strömstedt
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K Johan Rosengren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ulf Göransson
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Topical antimicrobial peptide formulations for wound healing: Current developments and future prospects. Acta Biomater 2020; 103:52-67. [PMID: 31874224 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the natural antibiotics recognized for their potent antibacterial and wound healing properties. Bare AMPs have limited activity following topical application attributable to their susceptibility to environment (hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis), and wound (alkaline pH, proteolysis) related factors as well as minimal residence time. Therefore, the formulation of AMPs is essential to enhance stability, prolong delivery, and optimize effectiveness at the wound site. Different topical formulations of AMPs have been developed so far including nanoparticles, hydrogels, creams, ointments, and wafers to aid in controlling bacterial infection and enhance wound healing process in vivo. Herein, an overview is provided of the AMPs and current understanding of their formulations for topical wound healing applications along with suitable examples. Furthermore, future prospects for the development of effective combination AMP formulations are discussed. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Chronic wound infection and subsequent development of antibiotic resistance are serious clinical problems affecting millions of people worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess great potential in effectively killing the bacteria with minimal risk of resistance development. However, AMPs susceptibility to degradation following topical application limits their antimicrobial and wound healing effects. Therefore, development of an optimized topical formulation with high peptide stability and sustained AMP delivery is necessary to maximize the antimicrobial and wound healing effects. The present review provides an overview of the state-of-art in the field of topical AMP formulations for wound healing. Current developments in the field of topical AMP formulations are reviewed and future prospects for the development of effective combination AMP formulations are discussed.
Collapse
|
46
|
Chee E, Brown AC. Biomimetic antimicrobial material strategies for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria. Biomater Sci 2020; 8:1089-1100. [DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01393h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic drugs have revolutionized the field of medicine for almost 90 years. However, continued use has led to the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria. To combat these bacteria, biomimetic material strategies have been investigated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Chee
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Raleigh
- USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute
| | - Ashley C. Brown
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
- North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- Raleigh
- USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Rončević T, Puizina J, Tossi A. Antimicrobial Peptides as Anti-Infective Agents in Pre-Post-Antibiotic Era? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E5713. [PMID: 31739573 PMCID: PMC6887943 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to antibiotics is one of the main current threats to human health and every year multi-drug resistant bacteria are infecting millions of people worldwide, with many dying as a result. Ever since their discovery, some 40 years ago, the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of innate defense have been hailed as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics due to their relatively low potential to elicit resistance. Despite continued effort by both academia and start-ups, currently there are still no antibiotics based on AMPs in use. In this study, we discuss what we know and what we do not know about these agents, and what we need to know to successfully translate discovery to application. Understanding the complex mechanics of action of these peptides is the main prerequisite for identifying and/or designing or redesigning novel molecules with potent biological activity. However, other aspects also need to be well elucidated, i.e., the (bio)synthetic processes, physiological and pathological contexts of their activity, and a quantitative understanding of how physico-chemical properties affect activity. Research groups worldwide are using biological, biophysical, and algorithmic techniques to develop models aimed at designing molecules with the necessary blend of antimicrobial potency and low toxicity. Shedding light on some open questions may contribute toward improving this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Rončević
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Laboratory for Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Jasna Puizina
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Alessandro Tossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ismail NO, Odendaal C, Serem JC, Strömstedt AA, Bester MJ, Sayed Y, Neitz AW, Gaspar AR. Antimicrobial function of short amidated peptide fragments from the tick‐derived OsDef2 defensin. J Pept Sci 2019; 25:e3223. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.3223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naadhira O. Ismail
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and MicrobiologyUniversity of Pretoria Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028 Pretoria South Africa
| | - Clerisa Odendaal
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and MicrobiologyUniversity of Pretoria Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028 Pretoria South Africa
| | - June C. Serem
- Department of AnatomyUniversity of Pretoria Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007 Pretoria South Africa
| | - Adam A. Strömstedt
- Pharmacognosy, Department of Medicinal ChemistryUppsala University Box 574 Uppsala SE 75123 Sweden
| | - Megan J. Bester
- Department of AnatomyUniversity of Pretoria Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007 Pretoria South Africa
| | - Yasien Sayed
- Protein Structure‐Function Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of the Witwatersrand Private Bag 3, WITS 2050 Johannesburg South Africa
| | - Albert W.H. Neitz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and MicrobiologyUniversity of Pretoria Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028 Pretoria South Africa
| | - Anabella R.M. Gaspar
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and MicrobiologyUniversity of Pretoria Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028 Pretoria South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Yadav N, Chauhan MK, Chauhan VS. Short to ultrashort peptide-based hydrogels as a platform for biomedical applications. Biomater Sci 2019; 8:84-100. [PMID: 31696870 DOI: 10.1039/c9bm01304k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Short peptides have attracted significant attention from researchers in the past few years due to their easy design, synthesis and characterization, diverse functionalisation possibilities, low cost, possibility to make a large range of hierarchical nanostructures and most importantly their high biocompatibility and biodegradability. Generally, short peptides are also relatively more stable than their longer variants, non-immunogenic in nature and many of them self-assemble to provide an exciting range of nanostructures, including hydrogels. Thus, the development of short peptide-based hydrogels has become an area of intense investigation. Although these hydrogels have a water content of greater than 90%, they are surprisingly highly stable structures, and thus have been used for various biomedical applications, including cell therapeutics, drug delivery, tissue engineering and regeneration, contact lenses, biosensors, and wound healing, by different researchers. Herein, we review the progress of research in the rapidly expanding field of short to ultrashort peptide-based hydrogels and their possible applications. Special attention is paid to address and review this field with regard to the stability of peptide-based hydrogels, particularly to enzymatic degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Yadav
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110067, India. and Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Sector-3, Pushpvihar, New Delhi-110017, India
| | - Meenakshi K Chauhan
- Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Sector-3, Pushpvihar, New Delhi-110017, India
| | - Virander S Chauhan
- Molecular Medicine Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110067, India.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Hu H, Zhao W, Zhu M, Zhao L, Zhai L, Xu JY, Liu P, Tan M. LysargiNase and Chemical Derivatization Based Strategy for Facilitating In-Depth Profiling of C-Terminome. Anal Chem 2019; 91:14522-14529. [PMID: 31634432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b03543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Global identification of protein C-termini is highly challenging due to their low abundance in conventional shotgun proteomics. Several enrichment strategies have been developed to facilitate the detection of C-terminal peptides. One major issue of previous approaches is the limited C-terminome coverage. Herein, we integrated LysargiNase digestion, chemical acetylation on neo-N-terminus, and a-ion-aided peptide matching into poly(allylamine)-based C-terminomics (termed as LAACTer). In this strategy, we leveraged LysargiNase, a protease with cleavage specificity N-terminal to Lys and Arg residues, to cover previously unidentifiable C-terminome and employed chemical acetylation and a-ion-aided peptide matching to efficiently boost peptide identifications. Triplicates of LAACTer identified a total of 834 C-termini from proteome of 293T cell, which expanded the coverage by 164% (643 more unique C-termini) compared with the parallel experiments using the original workflow. Compared with the largest human C-terminome data sets (containing 800-900 C-termini), LAACTer not only achieved comparable profiling depth but also yielded 465 previously unidentified C-termini. In a SILAC (stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture)-based quantitative study for identification of GluC-cleaved products, LAACTer quantified 300% more C-terminal peptides than the original workflow. Using LAACTer and the original workflow, we performed global analysis for the C-terminal sequences of 293T cell. The original and processed C-termini displayed distinct sequence patterns, implying the "C-end rules" that regulates protein stability could be more complex than just amino acid motifs. In conclusion, we reason LAACTer could be a powerful proteomic tool for in-depth C-terminomics and would benefit better functional understanding of protein C-termini.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China
| | - Wensi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Mengdi Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China
| | - Linhui Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China
| | - Jun-Yu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China
| | - Ping Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China
| | - Minjia Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research , Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 555 Zuchongzhi Road , Shanghai , 201203 , China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049 , China
| |
Collapse
|