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Conde-Torres D, Calvelo M, Rovira C, Piñeiro Á, Garcia-Fandino R. Unlocking the specificity of antimicrobial peptide interactions for membrane-targeted therapies. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 25:61-74. [PMID: 38695015 PMCID: PMC11061258 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are increasingly recognized as potent therapeutic agents, with their selective affinity for pathological membranes, low toxicity profile, and minimal resistance development making them particularly attractive in the pharmaceutical landscape. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between specific AMPs, including magainin-2, pleurocidin, CM15, LL37, and clavanin, with lipid bilayer models of very different compositions that have been ordinarily used as biological membrane models of healthy mammal, cancerous, and bacterial cells. Employing unbiased molecular dynamics simulations and metadynamics techniques, we have deciphered the intricate mechanisms by which these peptides recognize pathogenic and pathologic lipid patterns and integrate into lipid assemblies. Our findings reveal that the transverse component of the peptide's hydrophobic dipole moment is critical for membrane interaction, decisively influencing the molecule's orientation and expected therapeutic efficacy. Our approach also provides insight on the kinetic and dynamic dependence on the peptide orientation in the axial and azimuthal angles when coming close to the membrane. The aim is to establish a robust framework for the rational design of peptide-based, membrane-targeted therapies, as well as effective quantitative descriptors that can facilitate the automated design of novel AMPs for these therapies using machine learning methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Conde-Torres
- Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultade de Física, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Martín Calvelo
- Departament de Química Orgànica and Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Rovira
- Departament de Química Orgànica and Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ángel Piñeiro
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultade de Física, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rebeca Garcia-Fandino
- Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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2
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Du J, Yang C, Deng Y, Guo H, Gu M, Chen D, Liu X, Huang J, Yan W, Liu J. Discovery of AMPs from random peptides via deep learning-based model and biological activity validation. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116797. [PMID: 39197254 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
The ample peptide field is the best source for discovering clinically available novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to address emerging drug resistance. However, discovering novel AMPs is complex and expensive, representing a major challenge. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly improved the efficiency of identifying antimicrobial peptides from large libraries, whereas using random peptides as negative data increases the difficulty of discovering antimicrobial peptides from random peptides using discriminative models. In this study, we constructed three multi-discriminator models using deep learning and successfully screened twelve AMPs from a library of 30,000 random peptides. three candidate peptides (P2, P11, and P12) were screened by antimicrobial experiments, and further experiments showed that they not only possessed excellent antimicrobial activity but also had extremely low hemolytic activity. Mechanistic studies showed that these peptides exerted their bactericidal effects through membrane disruption, thus reducing the possibility of bacterial resistance. Notably, peptide 12 (P12) showed significant efficacy in a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus wound infection with low toxicity to major organs at the highest tested dose (400 mg/kg). These results suggest deep learning-based multi-discriminator models can identify AMPs from random peptides with potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Du
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital, North Road 143, Qilihe District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Changyan Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital, North Road 143, Qilihe District, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yabo Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Hai Guo
- The Second Hospital & Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Mengyun Gu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Danna Chen
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xia Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Jinqi Huang
- Department of Hematology, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Wenjin Yan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Donggang West Road, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Jian Liu
- Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital, North Road 143, Qilihe District, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
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3
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Conde-Torres D, Mussa-Juane M, Faílde D, Gómez A, García-Fandiño R, Piñeiro Á. Classical Simulations on Quantum Computers: Interface-Driven Peptide Folding on Simulated Membrane Surfaces. Comput Biol Med 2024; 182:109157. [PMID: 39321582 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.109157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial in the fight against infections and play significant roles in various health contexts, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and aging. A key aspect of AMP functionality is their selective interaction with pathogen membranes, which often exhibit altered lipid compositions. These interactions are thought to induce a conformational shift in AMPs from random coil to alpha-helical structures, essential for their lytic activity. Traditional computational approaches have faced challenges in accurately modeling these structural changes, especially in membrane environments, thereby opening and opportunity for more advanced approaches. METHOD This study extends an existing quantum computing algorithm, initially designed for peptide folding simulations in homogeneous environments, to address the complexities of AMP interactions at interfaces. Our approach enables the prediction of the optimal conformation of peptides located in the transition region between hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases, resembling lipid membranes. The new method was tested on three 10-amino-acid-long peptides, each characterized by distinct hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or amphipathic properties, across different media and at interfaces between solvents of different polarity. RESULTS The developed method successfully modeled the structure of the peptides without increasing the number of qubits required compared to simulations in homogeneous media, making it more feasible with current quantum computing resources. Despite the current limitations in computational power and qubit availability, the findings demonstrate the significant potential of quantum computing in accurately characterizing complex biomolecular processes, particularly AMP folding at membrane models. CONCLUSIONS This research highlights the promising applications of quantum computing in biomolecular simulations, paving the way for future advancements in the development of novel therapeutic agents. We aim to offer a new perspective on enhancing the accuracy and applicability of biomolecular simulations in the context of AMP interactions with membrane models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Conde-Torres
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultade de Física, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, A Coruña, Spain; Organic Chemistry Department, Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Mariamo Mussa-Juane
- Galicia Supercomputing Center (CESGA), Avenida de Vigo, s/n, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Daniel Faílde
- Galicia Supercomputing Center (CESGA), Avenida de Vigo, s/n, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Andrés Gómez
- Galicia Supercomputing Center (CESGA), Avenida de Vigo, s/n, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Rebeca García-Fandiño
- Organic Chemistry Department, Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, A Coruña, Spain.
| | - Ángel Piñeiro
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultade de Física, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, Santiago de Compostela, E-15782, A Coruña, Spain.
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4
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Samat R, Sen S, Jash M, Ghosh S, Garg S, Sarkar J, Ghosh S. Venom: A Promising Avenue for Antimicrobial Therapeutics. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:3098-3125. [PMID: 39137302 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Venom in medicine is well documented in the chronicles of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire and persisted into the Renaissance and even into the modern era. Venoms were not always associated with detrimental consequences. Since ancient times, the curative capacity of venom has been recognized, portraying venom as a metaphor for pharmacy and medicine. Venom proteins and peptides' antimicrobial potential has not undergone systematic exploration despite the huge literature on natural antimicrobials. In light of the escalating challenge of antimicrobial resistance and the diminishing effectiveness of antibiotics, there is a pressing need for innovative antimicrobials capable of effectively addressing illnesses caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms. This review adds to our understanding of the effectiveness of different venom components against a host of pathogenic microorganisms. The aim is to illuminate the various antimicrobials present in venom and venom peptides, thereby emphasizing the unexplored medicinal potential for antimicrobial properties. We have presented a concise summary of the molecular examination of the venom peptides' functioning processes, as well as the current clinical and preclinical progress of venom antimicrobial peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkamal Samat
- Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Samya Sen
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
- iHUB Drishti Foundation, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Moumita Jash
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Satyajit Ghosh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Shubham Garg
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Jayita Sarkar
- Centre for Research and Development of Scientific Instruments (CRDSI), Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
| | - Surajit Ghosh
- Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
- Smart Healthcare Department, Interdisciplinary Research Platform, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
- iHUB Drishti Foundation, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342030, India
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5
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Singh S, Jha B, Tiwari P, Joshi VG, Mishra A, Malik YS. Recent approaches in the application of antimicrobial peptides in food preservation. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:315. [PMID: 39249587 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04126-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides existing in nature as an important part of the innate immune system in various organisms. Notably, the AMPs exhibit inhibitory effects against a wide spectrum of pathogens, showcasing potential applications in different fields such as food, agriculture, medicine. This review explores the application of AMPs in the food industry, emphasizing their crucial role in enhancing the safety and shelf life of food and how they offer a viable substitute for chemical preservatives with their biocompatible and natural attributes. It provides an overview of the recent advancements, ranging from conventional approaches of using natural AMPs derived from bacteria or other sources to the biocomputational design and usage of synthetic AMPs for food preservation. Recent innovations such as structural modifications of AMPs to improve safety and suitability as food preservatives have been discussed. Furthermore, the active packaging and creative fabrication strategies such as nano-formulation, biopolymeric peptides and casting films, for optimizing the efficacy and stability of these peptides in food systems are summarized. The overall focus is on the spectrum of applications, with special attention to potential challenges in the usage of AMPs in the food industry and strategies for their mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satparkash Singh
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India.
| | - Bhavna Jha
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Pratiksha Tiwari
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Vinay G Joshi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India
| | - Adarsh Mishra
- College of Animal Biotechnology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Yashpal Singh Malik
- ICAR-IVRI (Mukteswar Campus), Mukteswar, Nainital, Uttarakhand, 263138, India
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6
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Yadav N, Chauhan VS. Advancements in peptide-based antimicrobials: A possible option for emerging drug-resistant infections. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 333:103282. [PMID: 39276418 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, multidrug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms (MDROs) have emerged as a severe threat to human health, exhibiting robust resistance to traditional antibiotics. This has created a formidable challenge in modern medicine as we grapple with limited options to combat these resilient bacteria. Despite extensive efforts by scientists to develop new antibiotics targeting these pathogens, the quest for novel antibacterial molecules has become increasingly arduous. Fortunately, nature offers a potential solution in the form of cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic counterparts. AMPs, naturally occurring peptides, have displayed promising efficacy in fighting bacterial infections by disrupting bacterial cell membranes, hindering their survival and reproduction. These peptides, along with their synthetic mimics, present an exciting alternative in combating antibiotic resistance. They hold the potential to emerge as a formidable tool against MDROs, offering hope for improved strategies to protect communities. Extensive research has explored the diversity, history, and structure-properties relationship of AMPs, investigating their amphiphilic nature for membrane disruption and mechanisms of action. However, despite their therapeutic promise, AMPs face several documented limitations. Among these challenges, poor pharmacokinetic properties stand out, impeding the attainment of therapeutic levels in the body. Additionally, some AMPs exhibit toxicity and susceptibility to protease cleavage, leading to a short half-life and reduced efficacy in animal models. These limitations pose obstacles in developing effective treatments based on AMPs. Furthermore, the high manufacturing costs associated with AMPs could significantly hinder their widespread use. In this review, we aim to present experimental and theoretical insights into different AMPs, focusing specifically on antibacterial peptides (ABPs). Our goal is to offer a concise overview of peptide-based drug candidates, drawing from a wide array of literature and peer-reviewed studies. We also explore recent advancements in AMP development and discuss the challenges researchers face in moving these molecules towards clinical trials. Our main objective is to offer a comprehensive overview of current AMP and ABP research to guide the development of more precise and effective therapies for bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Yadav
- Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Gandhi Nagar, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530045, India; Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India; Biotide Solutions LLP, B-23, Geetanjali Enclave, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi 110017, India.
| | - Virander S Chauhan
- Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Gandhi Nagar, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530045, India; Molecular Medicine, International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India; Biotide Solutions LLP, B-23, Geetanjali Enclave, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi 110017, India.
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7
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Saikia S, Chetia P. Antibiotics: From Mechanism of Action to Resistance and Beyond. Indian J Microbiol 2024; 64:821-845. [PMID: 39282166 PMCID: PMC11399512 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-024-01285-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotics are the super drugs that have revolutionized modern medicine by curing many infectious diseases caused by various microbes. They efficiently inhibit the growth and multiplication of the pathogenic microbes without causing adverse effects on the host. However, prescribing suboptimal antibiotic and overuse in agriculture and animal husbandry have led to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, one of the most serious threats to global health at present. The efficacy of a new antibiotic is high when introduced; however, a small bacterial population attains resistance gradually and eventually survives. Understanding the mode of action of these miracle drugs, as well as their interaction with targets is very complex. However, it is necessary to fulfill the constant need for novel therapeutic alternatives to address the inevitable development of resistance. Therefore, considering the need of the hour, this article has been prepared to discuss the mode of action and recent advancements in the field of antibiotics. Efforts has also been made to highlight the current scenario of antimicrobial resistance and drug repurposing as a fast-track solution to combat the issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyamalima Saikia
- Molecular Plant Taxonomy and Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam 786004 India
| | - Pankaj Chetia
- Department of Life Sciences, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam 786004 India
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8
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Muñoz-Camargo C, Cruz JC. From inside to outside: exploring extracellular antimicrobial histone-derived peptides as multi-talented molecules. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2024; 77:553-568. [PMID: 38871806 PMCID: PMC11347383 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-024-00744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a global health threat, necessitating innovative solutions. The contemporary challenge lies in bacterial resistance, impacting morbidity, mortality, and global economies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising avenue for addressing antibiotic resistance. The Antimicrobial Peptide Database catalogs 3569 peptides from various organisms, representing a rich resource for drug development. Histones, traditionally recognized for their role in nucleosome structures, have gained attention for their extracellular functions, including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. This review aims to thoroughly investigate antimicrobial peptides derived from histones in various organisms, elucidating their mechanisms. In addition, it gives us clues about how extracellular histones might be used in drug delivery systems to fight bacterial infections. This comprehensive analysis emphasizes the importance of histone-derived peptides in developing innovative therapeutic strategies for evolving bacterial challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Muñoz-Camargo
- Grupo de investigación en Nanobiomateriales, Ingeniería Celular y Bioimpresión (GINIB), Departamento de Ingeniería Biomédica, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Juan C Cruz
- Grupo de investigación en Nanobiomateriales, Ingeniería Celular y Bioimpresión (GINIB), Departamento de Ingeniería Biomédica, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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9
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Bucataru C, Ciobanasu C. Antimicrobial peptides: Opportunities and challenges in overcoming resistance. Microbiol Res 2024; 286:127822. [PMID: 38986182 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance represents a global health threat, challenging the efficacy of traditional antimicrobial agents and necessitating innovative approaches to combat infectious diseases. Among these alternatives, antimicrobial peptides have emerged as promising candidates against resistant pathogens. Unlike traditional antibiotics with only one target, these peptides can use different mechanisms to destroy bacteria, with low toxicity to mammalian cells compared to many conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have encouraging antibacterial properties and are currently employed in the clinical treatment of pathogen infection, cancer, wound healing, cosmetics, or biotechnology. This review summarizes the mechanisms of antimicrobial peptides against bacteria, discusses the mechanisms of drug resistance, the limitations and challenges of AMPs in peptide drug applications for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections, and strategies to enhance their capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cezara Bucataru
- Alexandru I. Cuza University, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Bulevardul Carol I, Nr.11, Iasi 700506, Romania
| | - Corina Ciobanasu
- Alexandru I. Cuza University, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Bulevardul Carol I, Nr.11, Iasi 700506, Romania.
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10
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Li Y, Wang Y, Luo YL, Bai DQ, Zhang G, Wang JR, Wei H, Li S. Epinecidin-1 and lactic acid synergistically inhibit Aeromonas hydrophila through membrane disruption. Microb Pathog 2024; 196:106879. [PMID: 39218372 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Epinecidin-1 (Epi-1) is an antimicrobial peptide originated from fish with various pharmacological activities but carries the risk of acquiring resistance with long-term use. In the present study, we use L-lactic acid to enhance the antibacterial activity of synthesized Epi-1 against the aquaculture and food pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila. The results showed that 5.5 mmol/L lactic acid increased the inhibitory and bactericidal activity of 25 μmol/L Epi-1 against two strains of A. hydrophila. The laser confocal images proved that lactic acid pre-treatment improved the attachment efficiency of Epi-1 in A.hydrophila cells. In addition, lactic acid enhanced the damaging effect of Epi-1 on the cell membrane of A. hydrophila, evidenced by releasing more nucleic acids, proteins, and transmembrane pH ingredients decrease and electromotive force dissipation. SEM images showed that compared with the single Epi-1 treatment, the co-treatment of Epi-1 and lactic acid caused more outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and more severe cell deformation. These findings proved that lactic acid could enhance the efficiency of Epi-1 against A. hydrophila and shed light on new aspects to avoid resistance of pathogens against Epi-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzi Li
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Wang
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aqua-ecology and Aquaculture, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yun-Long Luo
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong-Qing Bai
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aqua-ecology and Aquaculture, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China.
| | - Guangchen Zhang
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing-Ru Wang
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Aqua-ecology and Aquaculture, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongshuo Wei
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China
| | - Shufang Li
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, 22 Jinjing Road, 300384, Tianjin, China
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11
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Moule MG, Benjamin AB, Burger ML, Herlan C, Lebedev M, Lin JS, Koster KJ, Wavare N, Adams LG, Bräse S, Munoz-Medina R, Cannon CL, Barron AE, Cirillo JD. Peptide-mimetic treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a mouse model of respiratory infection. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1033. [PMID: 39174819 PMCID: PMC11341572 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06725-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The rise of drug resistance has become a global crisis, with >1 million deaths due to resistant bacterial infections each year. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in particular, remains a serious problem with limited solutions due to complex resistance mechanisms that now lead to more than 32,000 multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections and over 2000 deaths in the U.S. annually. While the emergence of resistant bacteria has become ominously common, identification of useful new drug classes has been limited over the past over 40 years. We found that a potential novel therapeutic, the peptide-mimetic TM5, is effective at killing P. aeruginosa and displays sufficiently low toxicity in mammalian cells to allow for use in treatment of infections. Interestingly, TM5 kills P. aeruginosa more rapidly than traditional antibiotics, within 30-60 min in vitro, and is effective against a range of clinical isolates, including extensively drug resistant strains. In vivo, TM5 significantly reduced bacterial load in the lungs within 24 h compared to untreated mice and demonstrated few adverse effects. Taken together, these observations suggest that TM5 shows promise as an alternative therapy for MDR P. aeruginosa respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine G Moule
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Aaron B Benjamin
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Melanie L Burger
- Institute of Immunology & Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claudine Herlan
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Maxim Lebedev
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer S Lin
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kent J Koster
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Neha Wavare
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Leslie G Adams
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Stefan Bräse
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems - Functional Molecular Systems (IBCS-FMS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ricardo Munoz-Medina
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Carolyn L Cannon
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Annelise E Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University Schools of Medicine and of Engineering, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Jeffrey D Cirillo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA.
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12
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Shukri A, Carroll AC, Collins R, Charih F, Wong A, Biggar KK. Systematic in vitro optimization of antimicrobial peptides against Escherichia coli. JAC Antimicrob Resist 2024; 6:dlae096. [PMID: 38966332 PMCID: PMC11220656 DOI: 10.1093/jacamr/dlae096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern and claims over 1 million lives per year. The discovery of new antimicrobial drugs is expensive and often generates low profitability, with very low success rates. One way to combat this is by the improvement of known antimicrobials, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The aim of this study was to improve the antimicrobial activities of two known AMPs, UyCT3 and indolicidin, with the use of peptide libraries and growth curves. Methods Peptide permutation libraries were synthesized for two AMPs, indolicidin and UyCT3, which included 520 peptides. These peptides were subsequently tested against MG1655-K12, to which subsequent peptide design was performed, then tested against three clinically Gram-negative relevant drug-resistant isolates. Best-performing candidates were subjected to a haemolysis assay for toxicity validation. Results Single amino acid permutations of UyCT3 and indolicidin were sufficient to inhibit growth of MG1655-K12, and subsequent generations of peptide design were able to inhibit growth of clinical isolates at concentrations as low as 5 µM. Our best-performing AMP, UyCT3I5A, W6Y, K10I, F13I, was not seen to be toxic towards sheep RBCs. Conclusions The efficacy of the AMPs improved with the use of our peptide library technology, whereby an AMP was found that inhibited bacterial growth of clinical Gram-negative isolates 4-fold better than its WT counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Shukri
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Amanda C Carroll
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Ryan Collins
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Francois Charih
- Department of Systems and Computer Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Alex Wong
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Kyle K Biggar
- Institute of Biochemistry and Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
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13
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Che Z, Sun Q, Zhao Z, Wu Y, Xing H, Song K, Chen A, Wang B, Cai M. Growth factor-functionalized titanium implants for enhanced bone regeneration: A review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 274:133153. [PMID: 38897500 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Titanium and titanium alloys are widely favored materials for orthopedic implants due to their exceptional mechanical properties and biological inertness. The additional benefit of sustained local release of bioactive substances further promotes bone tissue formation, thereby augmenting the osseointegration capacity of titanium implants and attracting increasing attention in bone tissue engineering. Among these bioactive substances, growth factors have shown remarkable osteogenic and angiogenic induction capabilities. Consequently, researchers have developed various physical, chemical, and biological loading techniques to incorporate growth factors into titanium implants, ensuring controlled release kinetics. In contrast to conventional treatment modalities, the localized release of growth factors from functionalized titanium implants not only enhances osseointegration but also reduces the risk of complications. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the types and mechanisms of growth factors, along with a detailed exploration of the methodologies used to load growth factors onto the surface of titanium implants. Moreover, it highlights recent advancements in the application of growth factors to the surface of titanium implants (Scheme 1). Finally, the review discusses current limitations and future prospects for growth factor-functionalized titanium implants. In summary, this paper presents cutting-edge design strategies aimed at enhancing the bone regenerative capacity of growth factor-functionalized titanium implants-a significant advancement in the field of enhanced bone regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenjia Che
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qi Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanglin Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Hu Xing
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaihang Song
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Aopan Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ming Cai
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Taheri-Araghi S. Synergistic action of antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics: current understanding and future directions. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1390765. [PMID: 39144233 PMCID: PMC11322369 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1390765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global problem that requires innovative therapeutic approaches and strategies for administering antibiotics. One promising approach is combination therapy, in which two or more drugs are combined to combat an infection. Along this line, the combination of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with conventional antibiotics has gained attention mainly due to the complementary mechanisms of action of AMPs and conventional antibiotics. In this article, we review both in vitro and in vivo studies that explore the synergy between AMPs and antibiotics. We highlight several mechanisms through which synergy is observed in in vitro experiments, including increasing membrane permeability, disrupting biofilms, directly potentiating antibiotic efficacy, and inhibiting resistance development. Moreover, in vivo studies reveal additional mechanisms such as enhanced/modulated immune responses, reduced inflammation, and improved tissue regeneration. Together, the current literature demonstrates that AMP-antibiotic combinations can substantially enhance efficacy of antibiotic therapies, including therapies against resistant bacteria, which represents a valuable enhancement to current antimicrobial strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sattar Taheri-Araghi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States
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15
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George NL, Bennett EC, Orlando BJ. Guarding the walls: the multifaceted roles of Bce modules in cell envelope stress sensing and antimicrobial resistance. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0012324. [PMID: 38869304 PMCID: PMC11270860 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00123-24] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have developed diverse strategies for defending their cell envelopes from external threats. In Firmicutes, one widespread strategy is to use Bce modules-membrane protein complexes that unite a peptide-detoxifying ABC transporter with a stress response coordinating two-component system. These modules provide specific, front-line defense for a wide variety of antimicrobial peptides and small molecule antibiotics as well as coordinate responses for heat, acid, and oxidative stress. Because of these abilities, Bce modules play important roles in virulence and the development of antibiotic resistance in a variety of pathogens, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus species. Despite their importance, Bce modules are still poorly understood, with scattered functional data in only a small number of species. In this review, we will discuss Bce module structure in light of recent cryo-electron microscopy structures of the B. subtilis BceABRS module and explore the common threads and variations-on-a-theme in Bce module mechanisms across species. We also highlight the many remaining questions about Bce module function. Understanding these multifunctional membrane complexes will enhance our understanding of bacterial stress sensing and may point toward new therapeutic targets for highly resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L. George
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Ellen C. Bennett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Orlando
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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16
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Kong X, Vishwanath V, Neelakantan P, Ye Z. Harnessing antimicrobial peptides in endodontics. Int Endod J 2024; 57:815-840. [PMID: 38441321 DOI: 10.1111/iej.14043] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Endodontic therapy includes various procedures such as vital pulp therapy, root canal treatment and retreatment, surgical endodontic treatment and regenerative endodontic procedures. Disinfection and tissue repair are crucial for the success of these therapies, necessitating the development of therapeutics that can effectively target microbiota, eliminate biofilms, modulate inflammation and promote tissue repair. However, no current endodontic agents can achieve these goals. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are sequences of amino acids, have gained attention due to their unique advantages, including reduced susceptibility to drug resistance, broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and the ability to modulate the immune response of the organism effectively. This review systematically discusses the structure, mechanisms of action, novel designs and limitations of AMPs. Additionally, it highlights the efforts made by researchers to overcome peptide shortcomings and emphasizes the potential applications of AMPs in endodontic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzi Kong
- Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Vijetha Vishwanath
- Division of Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Prasanna Neelakantan
- Department of Endodontics, University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zhou Ye
- Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
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17
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Zeng P, Wang H, Zhang P, Leung SSY. Unearthing naturally-occurring cyclic antibacterial peptides and their structural optimization strategies. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 73:108371. [PMID: 38704105 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Natural products with antibacterial activity are highly desired globally to combat against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Antibacterial peptide (ABP), especially cyclic ABP (CABP), is one of the abundant classes. Most of them were isolated from microbes, demonstrating excellent bactericidal effects. With the improved proteolytic stability, CABPs are normally considered to have better druggability than linear peptides. However, most clinically-used CABP-based antibiotics, such as colistin, also face the challenges of drug resistance soon after they reached the market, urgently requiring the development of next-generation succedaneums. We present here a detail review on the novel naturally-occurring CABPs discovered in the past decade and some of them are under clinical trials, exhibiting anticipated application potential. According to their chemical structures, they were broadly classified into five groups, including (i) lactam/lactone-based CABPs, (ii) cyclic lipopeptides, (iii) glycopeptides, (iv) cyclic sulfur-rich peptides and (v) multiple-modified CABPs. Their chemical structures, antibacterial spectrums and proposed mechanisms are discussed. Moreover, engineered analogs of these novel CABPs are also summarized to preliminarily analyze their structure-activity relationship. This review aims to provide a global perspective on research and development of novel CABPs to highlight the effectiveness of derivatives design in identifying promising antibacterial agents. Further research efforts in this area are believed to play important roles in fighting against the multidrug-resistance crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zeng
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Honglan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Sharon Shui Yee Leung
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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18
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Guerra MES, Vieira B, Calazans APCT, Destro GV, Melo K, Rodrigues E, Waz NT, Girardello R, Darrieux M, Converso TR. Recent advances in the therapeutic potential of cathelicidins. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1405760. [PMID: 38989014 PMCID: PMC11233757 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1405760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The alarming increase in antimicrobial resistance in the last decades has prompted the search for alternatives to control infectious diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a heterogeneous class of molecules with ample antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. They can be found in many organisms, including all classes of vertebrates, providing a valuable source of new antimicrobial agents. The unique properties of AMPs make it harder for microbes develop resistance, while their immunomodulatory properties and target diversity reinforce their translational use in multiple diseases, from autoimmune disorders to different types of cancer. The latest years have witnessed a vast number of studies evaluating the use of AMPs in therapy, with many progressing to clinical trials. The present review explores the recent developments in the medicinal properties of cathelicidins, a vast family of AMPs with potent antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. Cathelicidins from several organisms have been tested in disease models of viral and bacterial infections, inflammatory diseases, and tumors, with encouraging results. Combining nanomaterials with active, natural antimicrobial peptides, including LL-37 and synthetic analogs like ceragenins, leads to the creation of innovative nanoagents with significant clinical promise. However, there are still important limitations, such as the toxicity of many cathelicidins to healthy host cells and low stability in vivo. The recent advances in nanomaterials and synthetic biology may help overcome the current limitations, enabling the use of cathelicidins in future therapeutics. Furthermore, a better understanding of the mechanisms of cathelicidin action in vivo and their synergy with other host molecules will contribute to the development of safer, highly effective therapies.
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19
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Groover KE, Randall JR, Davies BW. Development of a Selective and Stable Antimicrobial Peptide. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2151-2160. [PMID: 38712889 PMCID: PMC11185160 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are presented as potential scaffolds for antibiotic development due to their desirable qualities including broad-spectrum activity, rapid action, and general lack of susceptibility to current resistance mechanisms. However, they often lose antibacterial activity under physiological conditions and/or display mammalian cell toxicity, which limits their potential use. Identification of AMPs that overcome these barriers will help develop rules for how this antibacterial class can be developed to treat infection. Here we describe the development of our novel synthetic AMP, from discovery through in vivo application. Our evolved AMP, DTr18-dab, has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and is nonhemolytic. It is active against planktonic bacteria and biofilm, is unaffected by colistin resistance, and importantly is active in both human serum and a Galleria mellonella infection model. Several modifications, including the incorporation of noncanonical amino acids, were used to arrive at this robust sequence. We observed that the impact on antibacterial activity with noncanonical amino acids was dependent on assay conditions and therefore not entirely predictable. Overall, our results demonstrate how a relatively weak lead can be developed into a robust AMP with qualities important for potential therapeutic translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra E. Groover
- Department
of Molecular Biosciences, The University
of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Justin R. Randall
- Department
of Molecular Biosciences, The University
of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Bryan W. Davies
- Department
of Molecular Biosciences, The University
of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- John
Ring LaMontagne Center for Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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20
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Wei Y, Li Y, Li X, Zhao Y, Xu J, Wang H, Rong X, Xiong J, Chen X, Luo G, Lv G, Lin C, Han C, Yu H, Zhang Y, Tang S, Fan Y, Tu J, Xia C, Zu H, Liu W, Liu C, Liu J, Zhang B, Nong Q, Li T, Wang L, Song G, Su Y, Chen Z, Lai W, Fu Y, Yu J, Zhang P, Yang W, Yao G, Zhang H, Fan K, Dong H, Chen Y, Wu J. Peceleganan Spray for the Treatment of Skin Wound Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2415310. [PMID: 38861260 PMCID: PMC11167495 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.15310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Peceleganan spray is a novel topical antimicrobial agent targeted for the treatment of skin wound infections. However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of peceleganan spray for the treatment of wound infections. Design, Setting, and Participants This multicenter, open-label, phase 3 randomized clinical trial recruited and followed up 570 adult patients diagnosed with secondary open wound infections from 37 hospitals in China from August 23, 2021, to July 16, 2022. Interventions Patients were randomized to 2 groups with a 2:1 allocation. One group received treatment with 2% peceleganan spray (n = 381) and the other with 1% silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream (n = 189). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy outcome was the clinical efficacy rate (the number of patients fulfilling the criteria for efficacy of the number of patients receiving the treatment) on the first day following the end of treatment (day 8). The secondary outcomes included the clinical efficacy rate on day 5 and the bacterial clearance rate (cases achieving negative bacteria cultures after treatment of all cases with positive bacteria cultures before treatment) on days 5 and 8. The safety outcomes included patients' vital signs, physical examination results, electrocardiographic findings, blood test results, and adverse reactions. Results Among the 570 patients randomized to 1 of the 2 groups, 375 (98.4%) in the 2% peceleganan treatment group and 183 (96.8%) in the 1% SSD control group completed the trial (n = 558). Of these, 361 (64.7%) were men, and the mean (SD) age was 48.6 (15.3) years. The demographic characteristics were similar between groups. On day 8, clinical efficacy was achieved by 339 patients (90.4%) in the treatment group and 144 (78.7%) in the control group (P < .001). On day 5, clinical efficacy was achieved by 222 patients (59.2%) in the treatment group and 90 (49.2%) in the control group (P = .03). On day 8, bacterial clearance was achieved by 80 of 334 patients (24.0%) in the treatment group and in 75 of 163 (46.0%) in the control group (P < .001). On day 5, bacterial clearance was achieved by 55 of 334 patients (16.5%) in the treatment group and 50 of 163 (30.7%) in the control group (P < .001). The adverse events related to the application of peceleganan spray and SSD cream were similar. Conclusions and Relevance This randomized clinical trial found that peceleganan spray is a safe topical antimicrobial agent with a satisfactory clinical efficacy rate for the treatment of skin wound infections, while the effectiveness of bacterial clearance remains uncertain. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2100047202.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Wei
- Departments of Burn and Plastic Surgery and Wound Repair, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Li
- Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Xiaojian Li
- Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaohua Zhao
- Jiangyin People’s Hospital, Jiangyin, Wuxi, China
| | - Junci Xu
- Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital, Huizhou, China
| | | | - Xinzhou Rong
- Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Xiaodong Chen
- The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | | | - Guozhong Lv
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Cai Lin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, New District of the First Hospital of Wenyi Hospital, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chunmao Han
- The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Yi Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Shijie Tang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Youfen Fan
- Ningbo Huamei Hospital of University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiajin Tu
- Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Chengde Xia
- Zhengzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongxu Zu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Wenjun Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jinhui Liu
- Jilin Province People’s Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Baolin Zhang
- First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qingwen Nong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Nanshi Hospital of Nanyang, Nanyang, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Yongtao Su
- Peking University Care Luzhong Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Zhaohong Chen
- Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wen Lai
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanjie Fu
- Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Jia’ao Yu
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Pihong Zhang
- Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weixi Yang
- The Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Gang Yao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Kunwu Fan
- Departments of Burn and Plastic Surgery and Wound Repair, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hu Dong
- Jiangsu Protelight Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Co, Ltd, Jiangyin, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- Jiangsu Protelight Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Co, Ltd, Jiangyin, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Departments of Burn and Plastic Surgery and Wound Repair, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Human Histology and Embryology Section, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona Medical School, Verona, Italy
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21
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Enninful GN, Kuppusamy R, Tiburu EK, Kumar N, Willcox MDP. Non-canonical amino acid bioincorporation into antimicrobial peptides and its challenges. J Pept Sci 2024; 30:e3560. [PMID: 38262069 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
The rise of antimicrobial resistance and multi-drug resistant pathogens has necessitated explorations for novel antibiotic agents as the discovery of conventional antibiotics is becoming economically less viable and technically more challenging for biopharma. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising alternative because of their particular mode of action, broad spectrum and difficulty that microbes have in becoming resistant to them. The AMPs bacitracin, gramicidin, polymyxins and daptomycin are currently used clinically. However, their susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, toxicity profile, and complexities in large-scale manufacture have hindered their development. To improve their proteolytic stability, methods such as integrating non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into their peptide sequence have been adopted, which also improves their potency and spectrum of action. The benefits of ncAA incorporation have been made possible by solid-phase peptide synthesis. However, this method is not always suitable for commercial production of AMPs because of poor yield, scale-up difficulties, and its non-'green' nature. Bioincorporation of ncAA as a method of integration is an emerging field geared towards tackling the challenges of solid-phase synthesis as a green, cheaper, and scalable alternative for commercialisation of AMPs. This review focusses on the bioincorporation of ncAAs; some challenges associated with the methods are outlined, and notes are given on how to overcome these challenges. The review focusses particularly on addressing two key challenges: AMP cytotoxicity towards microbial cell factories and the uptake of ncAAs that are unfavourable to them. Overcoming these challenges will draw us closer to a greater yield and an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to make AMPs more druggable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rajesh Kuppusamy
- University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Naresh Kumar
- University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark D P Willcox
- University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
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22
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Alves PM, Barrias CC, Gomes P, Martins MCL. How can biomaterial-conjugated antimicrobial peptides fight bacteria and be protected from degradation? Acta Biomater 2024; 181:98-116. [PMID: 38697382 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a serious threat to public health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are a powerful alternative to antibiotics due to their low propensity to induce bacterial resistance. However, cytotoxicity and short half-lives have limited their clinical translation. To overcome these problems, AMP conjugation has gained relevance in the biomaterials field. Nevertheless, few studies describe the influence of conjugation on enzymatic protection, mechanism of action and antimicrobial efficacy. This review addresses this gap by providing a detailed comparison between conjugated and soluble AMP. Additionally, commonly employed chemical reactions and factors to consider when promoting AMP conjugation are reviewed. The overall results suggested that AMP conjugated onto biomaterials are specifically protected from degradation by trypsin and/or pepsin. However, sometimes, their antimicrobial efficacy was reduced. Due to limited conformational freedom in conjugated AMP, compared to their soluble forms, they appear to act initially by creating small protuberances on bacterial membranes that may lead to the alteration of membrane potential and/or formation of holes, triggering cell death. Overall, AMP conjugation onto biomaterials is a promising strategy to fight infection, particularly associated to the use of medical devices. Nonetheless, some details need to be addressed before conjugated AMP reach clinical practice. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Covalent conjugation of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) has been one of the most widely used strategies by bioengineers, in an attempt to not only protect AMP from proteolytic degradation, but also to prolong their residence time at the target tissue. However, an explanation for the mode of action of conjugated AMP is still lacking. This review extensively gathers works on AMP conjugation and puts forward a mechanism of action for AMP when conjugated onto biomaterials. The implications of AMP conjugation on antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity and resistance to proteases are all discussed. A thorough review of commonly employed chemical reactions for this conjugation is also provided. Finally, details that need to be addressed for conjugated AMP to reach clinical practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro M Alves
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina C Barrias
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Gomes
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - M Cristina L Martins
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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23
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Berida TI, Adekunle YA, Dada-Adegbola H, Kdimy A, Roy S, Sarker SD. Plant antibacterials: The challenges and opportunities. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31145. [PMID: 38803958 PMCID: PMC11128932 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31145] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Nature possesses an inexhaustible reservoir of agents that could serve as alternatives to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While some of the most effective drugs for treating bacterial infections originate from natural sources, they have predominantly been derived from fungal and bacterial species. However, a substantial body of literature is available on the promising antibacterial properties of plant-derived compounds. In this comprehensive review, we address the major challenges associated with the discovery and development of plant-derived antimicrobial compounds, which have acted as obstacles preventing their clinical use. These challenges encompass limited sourcing, the risk of agent rediscovery, suboptimal drug metabolism, and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) properties, as well as a lack of knowledge regarding molecular targets and mechanisms of action, among other pertinent issues. Our review underscores the significance of these challenges and their implications in the quest for the discovery and development of effective plant-derived antimicrobial agents. Through a critical examination of the current state of research, we give valuable insights that will advance our understanding of these classes of compounds, offering potential solutions to the global crisis of AMR. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomayo I. Berida
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Yemi A. Adekunle
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Centre for Natural Products Discovery (CNPD), School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Dada-Adegbola
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ayoub Kdimy
- LS3MN2E, CERNE2D, Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, 10056, Morocco
| | - Sudeshna Roy
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Satyajit D. Sarker
- Centre for Natural Products Discovery (CNPD), School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, James Parsons Building, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF, United Kingdom
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24
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Chang CF, Chang PC, Lee YC, Pan CY, Chang HM, Wu WJ, Lin MY, Chen CY, Wen ZH, Lee CH. The Antimicrobial Peptide Tilapia Piscidin 4 Induced the Apoptosis of Bladder Cancer Through ERK/SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-024-10296-2. [PMID: 38805142 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10296-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Marine antimicrobial peptides have been demonstrated in numerous studies to possess anti-cancer properties. This research investigation aimed to explore the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of Tilapia piscidin 4 (TP4), an antimicrobial peptide, in human bladder cancer. TP4 exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect on the proliferation of bladder cancer cells through cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Additionally, TP4 upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, leading to the activation of apoptotic pathways in bladder cancer cells. TP4 exhibit a marked rise in mitochondria reactive oxygen species, leading to the subsequent loss of potential for the mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, the inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation resulted in a decrease in downstream ATP production. Meanwhile, TP4-treated bladder cancer cells showed an increase in Bax and ERK but a decrease in SIRT1, PGC-1α, and Bcl2. ERK activation, SIRT1/PGC-1α-axis, and TP4-induced apoptosis were all significantly reversed by the ERK inhibitor SCH772984. Finally, the inhibitory effect of TP4 on tumor growth has been confirmed in a zebrafish bladder cancer xenotransplantation model. These findings suggest that TP4 may be a potential agents for human bladder cancer through apoptosis induction, ERK activation, and the promotion of SIRT1-mediated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Feng Chang
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Lien-Hai Rd, Kaohsiung, 804201, Taiwan
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Zhongzheng 1st Rd, Kaohsiung, 802301, ROC
| | - Po-Chih Chang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Weight Management Center Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital/Kaohsiung Medical University, Department of Sports Medicine, Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Lee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Yu Pan
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 811532, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Min Chang
- Division of Pharmacology and Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ju Wu
- Division of Pharmacology and Chinese Medicine, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ying Lin
- Community Health Promotion Center, Kaohsiung Municipal Ci-Jin Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yi Chen
- Department of Nutrition and Health Science, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, 83102, Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Hong Wen
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Lien-Hai Rd, Kaohsiung, 804201, Taiwan.
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan.
| | - Chien-Hsing Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine; Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan.
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25
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Tyagi JL, Gupta P, Ghate MM, Kumar D, Poluri KM. Assessing the synergistic potential of bacteriophage endolysins and antimicrobial peptides for eradicating bacterial biofilms. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:272. [PMID: 38772980 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04003-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Phage-encoded endolysins have emerged as a potential substitute to conventional antibiotics due to their exceptional benefits including host specificity, rapid host killing, least risk of resistance. In addition to their antibacterial potency and biofilm eradication properties, endolysins are reported to exhibit synergism with other antimicrobial agents. In this study, the synergistic potency of endolysins was dissected with antimicrobial peptides to enhance their therapeutic effectiveness. Recombinantly expressed and purified bacteriophage endolysin [T7 endolysin (T7L); and T4 endolysin (T4L)] proteins have been used to evaluate the broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy using different bacterial strains. Antibacterial/biofilm eradication studies were performed in combination with different antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as colistin, nisin, and polymyxin B (PMB) to assess the endolysin's antimicrobial efficacy and their synergy with AMPs. In combination with T7L, polymyxin B and colistin effectively eradicated the biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and exhibited a synergistic effect. Further, a combination of T4L and nisin displayed a synergistic effect against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. In summary, the obtained results endorse the theme of combinational therapy consisting of endolysins and AMPs as an effective remedy against the drug-resistant bacterial biofilms that are a serious concern in healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Lakshmi Tyagi
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Payal Gupta
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India
| | - Mayur Mohan Ghate
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Centre of Bio-Medical Research, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226014, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India.
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India.
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26
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Simoni A, Schwartz L, Junquera GY, Ching CB, Spencer JD. Current and emerging strategies to curb antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections. Nat Rev Urol 2024:10.1038/s41585-024-00877-9. [PMID: 38714857 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00877-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Rising rates of antibiotic resistance in uropathogenic bacteria compromise patient outcomes and prolong hospital stays. Consequently, new strategies are needed to prevent and control the spread of antibiotic resistance in uropathogenic bacteria. Over the past two decades, sizeable clinical efforts and research advances have changed urinary tract infection (UTI) treatment and prevention strategies to conserve antibiotic use. The emergence of antimicrobial stewardship, policies from national societies, and the development of new antimicrobials have shaped modern UTI practices. Future UTI management practices could be driven by the evolution of antimicrobial stewardship, improved and readily available diagnostics, and an improved understanding of how the microbiome affects UTI. Forthcoming UTI treatment and prevention strategies could employ novel bactericidal compounds, combinations of new and classic antimicrobials that enhance bacterial killing, medications that prevent bacterial attachment to uroepithelial cells, repurposing drugs, and vaccines to curtail the rising rates of antibiotic resistance in uropathogenic bacteria and improve outcomes in people with UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Simoni
- The Kidney and Urinary Tract Center, Nationwide Children's Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Laura Schwartz
- The Kidney and Urinary Tract Center, Nationwide Children's Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Guillermo Yepes Junquera
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Christina B Ching
- The Kidney and Urinary Tract Center, Nationwide Children's Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Urology, Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John David Spencer
- The Kidney and Urinary Tract Center, Nationwide Children's Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Nationwide Children's, Columbus, OH, USA.
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
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27
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Gontijo M, Pereira Teles M, Martins Correia H, Pérez Jorge G, Rodrigues Santos Goes IC, Fasabi Flores AJ, Braz M, de Moraes Ceseti L, Zonzini Ramos P, Rosa e Silva I, Pereira Vidigal PM, Kobarg J, Miguez Couñago R, Alvarez-Martinez CE, Pereira C, Freire CSR, Almeida A, Brocchi M. Combined effect of SAR-endolysin LysKpV475 with polymyxin B and Salmonella bacteriophage phSE-5. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001462. [PMID: 38739436 PMCID: PMC11170124 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Endolysins are bacteriophage (or phage)-encoded enzymes that catalyse the peptidoglycan breakdown in the bacterial cell wall. The exogenous action of recombinant phage endolysins against Gram-positive organisms has been extensively studied. However, the outer membrane acts as a physical barrier when considering the use of recombinant endolysins to combat Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the SAR-endolysin LysKpV475 against Gram-negative bacteria as single or combined therapies, using an outer membrane permeabilizer (polymyxin B) and a phage, free or immobilized in a pullulan matrix. In the first step, the endolysin LysKpV475 in solution, alone and combined with polymyxin B, was tested in vitro and in vivo against ten Gram-negative bacteria, including highly virulent strains and multidrug-resistant isolates. In the second step, the lyophilized LysKpV475 endolysin was combined with the phage phSE-5 and investigated, free or immobilized in a pullulan matrix, against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311. The bacteriostatic action of purified LysKpV475 varied between 8.125 μg ml-1 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, 16.25 μg ml-1 against S. enterica Typhimurium ATCC 13311, and 32.50 μg ml-1 against Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC BAA-2146 and Enterobacter cloacae P2224. LysKpV475 showed bactericidal activity only for P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (32.50 μg ml-1) and P. aeruginosa P2307 (65.00 μg ml-1) at the tested concentrations. The effect of the LysKpV475 combined with polymyxin B increased against K. pneumoniae ATCC BAA-2146 [fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) 0.34; a value lower than 1.0 indicates an additive/combined effect] and S. enterica Typhimurium ATCC 13311 (FICI 0.93). A synergistic effect against S. enterica Typhimurium was also observed when the lyophilized LysKpV475 at ⅔ MIC was combined with the phage phSE-5 (m.o.i. of 100). The lyophilized LysKpV475 immobilized in a pullulan matrix maintained a significant Salmonella reduction of 2 logs after 6 h of treatment. These results demonstrate the potential of SAR-endolysins, alone or in combination with other treatments, in the free form or immobilized in solid matrices, which paves the way for their application in different areas, such as in biocontrol at the food processing stage, biosanitation of food contact surfaces and biopreservation of processed food in active food packing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gontijo
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Mateus Pereira Teles
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
- Department of Biology, and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Hugo Martins Correia
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Genesy Pérez Jorge
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
- Research Group Statistics and Mathematical Modeling Applied to Educational Quality (GEMMA), University of Sucre, Sincelejo, Sucre, Colombia
| | - Isabella Carolina Rodrigues Santos Goes
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Anthony Jhoao Fasabi Flores
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Márcia Braz
- Department of Biology, and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lucas de Moraes Ceseti
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Priscila Zonzini Ramos
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Ivan Rosa e Silva
- Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio), Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM), Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Pedro Marcus Pereira Vidigal
- Núcleo de Análise de Biomoléculas (NuBioMol), Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa, MG 36570-900, Brazil
| | - Jörg Kobarg
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-871, Brazil
| | - Rafael Miguez Couñago
- Centro de Química Medicinal, Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Cristina Elisa Alvarez-Martinez
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Carla Pereira
- Department of Biology, and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carmen S. R. Freire
- CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Adelaide Almeida
- Department of Biology, and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marcelo Brocchi
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução, Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP 13083-862, Brazil
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28
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Cresti L, Cappello G, Pini A. Antimicrobial Peptides towards Clinical Application-A Long History to Be Concluded. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4870. [PMID: 38732089 PMCID: PMC11084544 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are molecules with an amphipathic structure that enables them to interact with bacterial membranes. This interaction can lead to membrane crossing and disruption with pore formation, culminating in cell death. They are produced naturally in various organisms, including humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. In higher animals, they are part of the innate immune system, where they counteract infection by bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. AMPs can also be designed de novo by bioinformatic approaches or selected from combinatorial libraries, and then produced by chemical or recombinant procedures. Since their discovery, AMPs have aroused interest as potential antibiotics, although few have reached the market due to stability limits or toxicity. Here, we describe the development phase and a number of clinical trials of antimicrobial peptides. We also provide an update on AMPs in the pharmaceutical industry and an overall view of their therapeutic market. Modifications to peptide structures to improve stability in vivo and bioavailability are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cresti
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Giovanni Cappello
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Medical Biotechnology Department, University of Siena, Via A Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.C.); (A.P.)
- SetLance srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Santa Maria alle Scotte University Hospital, 53100 Siena, Italy
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29
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Parisi MG, Ozón B, Vera González SM, García-Pardo J, Obregón WD. Plant Protease Inhibitors as Emerging Antimicrobial Peptide Agents: A Comprehensive Review. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:582. [PMID: 38794245 PMCID: PMC11125377 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050582] [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: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important mediator molecules of the innate defense mechanisms in a wide range of living organisms, including bacteria, mammals, and plants. Among them, peptide protease inhibitors (PPIs) from plants play a central role in their defense mechanisms by directly attacking pathogens or by modulating the plant's defense response. The growing prevalence of microbial resistance to currently available antibiotics has intensified the interest concerning these molecules as novel antimicrobial agents. In this scenario, PPIs isolated from a variety of plants have shown potential in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, protozoans, and fungal strains, either by interfering with essential biochemical or physiological processes or by altering the permeability of biological membranes of invading organisms. Moreover, these molecules are active inhibitors of a range of proteases, including aspartic, serine, and cysteine types, with some showing particular efficacy as trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the potential of plant-derived PPIs as novel antimicrobial molecules, highlighting their broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, specificity, and minimal toxicity. These natural compounds exhibit diverse mechanisms of action and often multifunctionality, positioning them as promising molecular scaffolds for developing new therapeutic antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica G. Parisi
- Instituto de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable (INEDES, CONICET-UNLu) and Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de Luján, Ruta 5 y Avenida Constitución, Luján B6700, Buenos Aires, Argentina;
| | - Brenda Ozón
- Centro de Investigación de Proteínas Vegetales (CIProVe) and Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115 s/N, La Plata B1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (B.O.); (S.M.V.G.)
| | - Sofía M. Vera González
- Centro de Investigación de Proteínas Vegetales (CIProVe) and Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115 s/N, La Plata B1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (B.O.); (S.M.V.G.)
| | - Javier García-Pardo
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB) and Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Walter David Obregón
- Centro de Investigación de Proteínas Vegetales (CIProVe) and Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115 s/N, La Plata B1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; (B.O.); (S.M.V.G.)
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30
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Bao R, Ma Z, Stanford K, McAllister TA, Niu YD. Antimicrobial Activities of α-Helix and β-Sheet Peptides against the Major Bovine Respiratory Disease Agent, Mannheimia haemolytica. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4164. [PMID: 38673750 PMCID: PMC11050306 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cattle raised in North America. At the feedlot, cattle are subject to metaphylactic treatment with macrolides to prevent BRD, a practice that may promote antimicrobial resistance and has resulted in an urgent need for novel strategies. Mannheimia haemolytica is one of the major bacterial agents of BRD. The inhibitory effects of two amphipathic, α-helical (PRW4, WRL3) and one β-sheet (WK2) antimicrobial peptides were evaluated against multidrug-resistant (MDR) M. haemolytica isolated from Alberta feedlots. WK2 was not cytotoxic against bovine turbinate (BT) cells by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. All three peptides inhibited M. haemolytica, with WK2 being the most efficacious against multiple isolates. At 8-16 µg/mL, WK2 was bactericidal against Mh 330 in broth, and at 32 µg/mL in the presence of BT cells, it reduced the population by 3 logs CFU/mL without causing cytotoxic effects. The membrane integrity of Mh 330 was examined using NPN (1-N-phenylnaphthylamine) and ONPG (o-Nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside), with both the inner and outer membranes being compromised. Thus, WK2 may be a viable alternative to the use of macrolides as part of BRD prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruina Bao
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada;
| | - Zhi Ma
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China;
| | - Kim Stanford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;
| | - Tim A. McAllister
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Center, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada;
| | - Yan D. Niu
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada;
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31
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Garrido PF, Castillo-Peinado LS, Priego-Capote F, Barrio I, Piñeiro Á, Domínguez-Santalla MJ, Rodríguez-Ruiz E, Garcia-Fandino R. Lipidomics signature in post-COVID patient sera and its influence on the prolonged inflammatory response. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:588-600. [PMID: 38368647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ongoing issues with post-COVID conditions (PCC), where symptoms persist long after the initial infection, highlight the need for research into blood lipid changes in these patients. While most studies focus on the acute phase of COVID-19, there's a significant lack of information on the lipidomic changes that occur in the later stages of the disease. Addressing this knowledge gap is critical for understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 and could be key to developing personalized treatments for those suffering from PCC. METHODS We employed untargeted lipidomics to analyze plasma samples from 147 PCC patients, assessing nearly 400 polar lipids. Data mining (DM) and machine learning (ML) tools were utilized to decode the results and ascertain significant lipidomic patterns. RESULTS The study uncovered substantial changes in various lipid subclasses, presenting a detailed profile of the polar lipid fraction in PCC patients. These alterations correlated with ongoing inflammation and immune response. Notably, there were elevated levels of lysophosphatidylglycerols (LPGs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and reduced levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), suggesting these as potential lipid biomarkers for PCC. The lipidomic signatures indicated specific anionic lipid changes, implicating antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in inflammation. Associations between particular medications and symptoms were also suggested. Classification models, such as multinomial regression (MR) and random forest (RF), successfully differentiated between symptomatic and asymptomatic PCC groups using lipidomic profiles. CONCLUSIONS The study's groundbreaking discovery of specific lipidomic disruptions in PCC patients marks a significant stride in the quest to comprehend and combat this condition. The identified lipid biomarkers not only pave the way for novel diagnostic tools but also hold the promise to tailor individualized therapeutic strategies, potentially revolutionizing the clinical approach to managing PCC and improving patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F Garrido
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Units IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, and GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50018, Spain
| | - L S Castillo-Peinado
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, Annex C-3 Building, Campus of Rabanales, Córdoba 14071, Spain; Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - F Priego-Capote
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Córdoba, Annex C-3 Building, Campus of Rabanales, Córdoba 14071, Spain; Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - I Barrio
- Department of Mathematics, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa 48940, Spain; Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, BCAM, Bilbao 48009, Spain
| | - Á Piñeiro
- Soft Matter & Molecular Biophysics Group, Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M J Domínguez-Santalla
- Internal Medicine Department, University Clinic Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Galician Public Health System (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - E Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Intensive Care Medicine Department, University Clinic Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Galician Public Health System (SERGAS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Simulation, Life Support & Intensive Care Research Unit of Santiago de Compostela (SICRUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain; CLINURSID Research Group, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - R Garcia-Fandino
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Santiago de Compostela University, CIQUS, Spain.
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Xu J, Xu X, Jiang Y, Fu Y, Shen C. Waste to resource: Mining antimicrobial peptides in sludge from metagenomes using machine learning. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 186:108574. [PMID: 38507933 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a huge threat to the treatment of infections. Antimicrobial peptides are a class of short peptides that widely exist in organisms and are considered as potential substitutes for traditional antibiotics. Here, we use metagenomics combined with machine learning to find antimicrobial peptides from environmental metagenomes and successfully obtained 16,044,909 predicted AMPs. We compared the abundance of potential antimicrobial peptides in natural environments and engineered environments, and found that engineered environments also have great potential. Further, we chose sludge as a typical engineered environmental sample, and tried to mine antimicrobial peptides from it. Through metaproteome analysis and correlation analysis, we mined 27 candidate AMPs from sludge. We successfully synthesized 25 peptides by chemical synthesis, and experimentally verified that 21 peptides had antibacterial activity against the 4 strains tested. Our work highlights the potential for mining new antimicrobial peptides from engineered environments and demonstrates the effectiveness of mining antimicrobial peptides from sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunhan Jiang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yulong Fu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, China
| | - Chaofeng Shen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, China.
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Kordi M, Talkhounche PG, Vahedi H, Farrokhi N, Tabarzad M. Heterologous Production of Antimicrobial Peptides: Notes to Consider. Protein J 2024; 43:129-158. [PMID: 38180586 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-023-10174-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Heavy and irresponsible use of antibiotics in the last century has put selection pressure on the microbes to evolve even faster and develop more resilient strains. In the confrontation with such sometimes called "superbugs", the search for new sources of biochemical antibiotics seems to have reached the limit. In the last two decades, bioactive antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are polypeptide chains with less than 100 amino acids, have attracted the attention of many in the control of microbial pathogens, more than the other types of antibiotics. AMPs are groups of components involved in the immune response of many living organisms, and have come to light as new frontiers in fighting with microbes. AMPs are generally produced in minute amounts within organisms; therefore, to address the market, they have to be either produced on a large scale through recombinant DNA technology or to be synthesized via chemical methods. Here, heterologous expression of AMPs within bacterial, fungal, yeast, plants, and insect cells, and points that need to be considered towards their industrialization will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Kordi
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parnian Ghaedi Talkhounche
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Helia Vahedi
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Naser Farrokhi
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Tabarzad
- Protein Technology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Von Vietinghoff S, Shevchuk O, Dobrindt U, Engel DR, Jorch SK, Kurts C, Miethke T, Wagenlehner F. The global burden of antimicrobial resistance - urinary tract infections. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2024; 39:581-588. [PMID: 37891013 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfad233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant global healthcare problem. Antibiotic use has accelerated the physiologic process of AMR, particularly in Gram-negative pathogens. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are predominantly of a Gram-negative nature. Uropathogens are evolutionarily highly adapted and selected strains with specific virulence factors, suggesting common mechanisms in how bacterial cells acquire virulence and AMR factors. The simultaneous increase in resistance and virulence is a complex and context-dependent phenomenon. Among known AMR mechanisms, the plenitude of different β-lactamases is especially prominent. The risk for AMR in UTIs varies in different patient populations. A history of antibiotic consumption and the physiology of urinary flow are major factors that shape AMR prevalence. The urinary tract is in close crosstalk with the microbiome of other compartments, including the gut and genital tracts. In addition, pharmacokinetic properties and the physiochemical composition of urinary compartments can contribute to the emergence of AMR. Alternatives to antibiotic treatment and a broader approach to address bacterial infections are needed. Among the various alternatives studied, antimicrobial peptides and bacteriophage treatment appear to be highly promising approaches. We herein summarize the present knowledge of clinical and microbiological AMR in UTIs and discuss innovative approaches, namely new risk prediction tools and the use of non-antibiotic approaches to defend against uropathogenic microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibylle Von Vietinghoff
- University Hospital Bonn, Medical Clinic 1, Section for Nephrology and University Bonn, Germany
| | - Olga Shevchuk
- University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Institute of Experimental Immunology and Imaging, Department of Immunodynamics, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dobrindt
- University of Münster, Institute of Hygiene, Münster, Germany
| | - Daniel Robert Engel
- University Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Institute of Experimental Immunology and Imaging, Department of Immunodynamics, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas Miethke
- Medical Faculty of Mannheim University of Heidelberg, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty of Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Florian Wagenlehner
- Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Clinic for Urology, Paediatric Urology and Andrology, Giessen, Germany
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35
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García FA, Fuentes TF, Alonso IP, Bosch RA, Brunetti AE, Lopes NP. A Comprehensive Review of Patented Antimicrobial Peptides from Amphibian Anurans. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 87:600-616. [PMID: 38412091 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c01040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, studies of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from anuran skin secretions have unveiled remarkable structural diversity and a wide range of activities. This study explores the potential of these peptides for drug development by examining granted patents, amino acid modifications related to patented peptides, and recent amphibians' taxonomic updates influencing AMP names. A total of 188 granted patents related to different anuran peptides were found, with Asia and North America being the predominant regions, contributing 65.4% and 15.4%, respectively. Conversely, although the Neotropical region is the world's most diversified region for amphibians, it holds only 3.7% of the identified patents. The antimicrobial activities of the peptides are claimed in 118 of these 188 patents. Additionally, for 160 of these peptides, 66 patents were registered for the natural sequence, 69 for both natural and derivative sequences, and 20 exclusively for sequence derivatives. Notably, common modifications include alterations in the side chains of amino acids and modifications to the peptides' N- and C-termini. This review underscores the biomedical potential of anuran-derived AMPs, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between AMP description and practical drug development while highlighting the urgency of biodiversity conservation to facilitate biomedical discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Almeida García
- NPPNS, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café, s/no, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Talia Frómeta Fuentes
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 Street No. 455, Vedado 10400, Cuba
| | - Isel Pascual Alonso
- Center for Protein Studies, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, 25 Street No. 455, Vedado 10400, Cuba
| | - Roberto Alonso Bosch
- Natural History Museum Felipe Poey, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Vedado 10400, Cuba
| | - Andrés E Brunetti
- Institute of Subtropical Biology (CONICET-UNAM), National University of Misiones, Posadas N3300LQH, Argentina
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, 07745, Germany
| | - Norberto Peporine Lopes
- NPPNS, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Avenida do Café, s/no, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Sreelakshmi KP, Madhuri M, Swetha R, Rangarajan V, Roy U. Microbial lipopeptides: their pharmaceutical and biotechnological potential, applications, and way forward. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:135. [PMID: 38489053 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03908-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
As lead molecules, cyclic lipopeptides with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties have garnered a lot of attention in recent years. Because of their potential, cyclic lipopeptides have earned recognition as a significant class of antimicrobial compounds with applications in pharmacology and biotechnology. These lipopeptides, often with biosurfactant properties, are amphiphilic, consisting of a hydrophilic moiety, like a carboxyl group, peptide backbone, or carbohydrates, and a hydrophobic moiety, mostly a fatty acid. Besides, several lipopeptides also have cationic groups that play an important role in biological activities. Antimicrobial lipopeptides can be considered as possible substitutes for antibiotics that are conventional to address the current drug-resistant issues as pharmaceutical industries modify the parent antibiotic molecules to render them more effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi, leading to the development of more resistant microbial strains. Bacillus species produce lipopeptides, which are secondary metabolites that are amphiphilic and are typically synthesized by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). They have been identified as potential biocontrol agents as they exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. A further benefit of lipopeptides is that they can be produced and purified biotechnologically or biochemically in a sustainable manner using readily available, affordable, renewable sources without harming the environment. In this review, we discuss the biochemical and functional characterization of antifungal lipopeptides, as well as their various modes of action, method of production and purification (in brief), and potential applications as novel antibiotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- K P Sreelakshmi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-KK Birla Goa Campus Goa, NH 17 B Bypass Rd., Goa, 403726, India
| | - M Madhuri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-KK Birla Goa Campus Goa, NH 17 B Bypass Rd., Goa, 403726, India
| | - R Swetha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-KK Birla Goa Campus Goa, NH 17 B Bypass Rd., Goa, 403726, India
| | - Vivek Rangarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-KK Birla Goa Campus Goa, NH 17 B Bypass Rd., Goa, 403726, India
| | - Utpal Roy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science-KK Birla Goa Campus Goa, NH 17 B Bypass Rd., Goa, 403726, India.
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37
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Cai Y, Wang X, Zhang T, Yan A, Luo L, Li C, Tian G, Wu Z, Wang X, Shen D, Han Y, Zhang Z. Rational Design of a Potent Antimicrobial Peptide Based on the Active Region of a Gecko Cathelicidin. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:951-960. [PMID: 38315114 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria presents a significant challenge to public health, increasing the risk of infections that are resistant to current antibiotic treatment. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics in the prevention of MDR bacterial infections. In the present study, we identified a novel cathelicidin AMP from Gekko japonicus, which exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 2.34 to 4.69 μg/mL. To improve its potential therapeutic application, a series of peptides was synthesized based on the active region of the gecko-derived cathelicidin. The lead peptide (RH-16) showed an antimicrobial activity comparable to that of the parent peptide. Structural characterization revealed that RH-16 adopted an amphipathic α-helical conformation. Furthermore, RH-16 demonstrated neither hemolytic nor cytotoxic activity but effectively killed a wide range of clinically isolated, drug-resistant bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of RH-16 was attributed to the nonspecific targeting of bacterial membranes, leading to rapid bacterial membrane permeabilization and rupture. RH-16 also retained its antibacterial activity in plasma and exhibited mild toxicity in vivo. Notably, RH-16 offered robust protection against skin infection in a murine model. Therefore, this newly identified cathelicidin AMP may be a strong candidate for future pharmacological development targeting multidrug resistance. The use of a rational design approach for isolating the minimal antimicrobial unit may accelerate the transition of natural AMPs to clinically applicable antibacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cai
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Xingyu Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Tianyu Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - An Yan
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Lin Luo
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming, Yunnan 650118, China
| | - Chenxi Li
- Third Department of Breast Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming, Yunnan 650118, China
| | - Gengzhou Tian
- Department of Breast Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China
| | - Zhongxiang Wu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Dong Shen
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
| | - Yajun Han
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Zhiye Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan 650031, China
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Couturier C, Ronzon Q, Lattanzi G, Lingard I, Coyne S, Cazals V, Dubarry N, Yvon S, Leroi-Geissler C, Gracia OR, Teague J, Sordello S, Corbett D, Bauch C, Monlong C, Payne L, Taillier T, Fuchs H, Broenstrup M, Harrison PH, Moynié L, Lakshminarayanan A, Gianga TM, Hussain R, Naismith JH, Mourez M, Bacqué E, Björkling F, Sabuco JF, Franzyk H. Studies of antibacterial activity (in vitro and in vivo) and mode of action for des-acyl tridecaptins (DATs). Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116097. [PMID: 38157595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Tridecaptins comprise a class of linear cationic lipopeptides with an N-terminal fatty acyl moiety. These 13-mer antimicrobial peptides consist of a combination of d- and l-amino acids, conferring increased proteolytic stability. Intriguingly, they are biosynthesized by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases in the same bacterial species that also produce the cyclic polymyxins displaying similar fatty acid tails. Previously, the des-acyl analog of TriA1 (termed H-TriA1) was found to possess very weak antibacterial activity, albeit it potentiated the effect of several antibiotics. In the present study, two series of des-acyl tridecaptins were explored with the aim of improving the direct antibacterial effect. At the same time, overall physico-chemical properties were modulated by amino acid substitution(s) to diminish the risk of undesired levels of hemolysis and to avoid an impairment of mammalian cell viability, since these properties are typically associated with highly hydrophobic cationic peptides. Microbiology and biophysics tools were used to determine bacterial uptake, while circular dichroism and isothermal calorimetry were used to probe the mode of action. Several analogs had improved antibacterial activity (as compared to that of H-TriA1) against Enterobacteriaceae. Optimization enabled identification of the lead compound 29 that showed a good ADMET profile as well as in vivo efficacy in a variety of mouse models of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Couturier
- Evotec, 1541, Avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy L'Etoile, France.
| | - Quentin Ronzon
- Evotec, 1541, Avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy L'Etoile, France
| | - Giulia Lattanzi
- Evotec-Aptuit (Verona) Srl, Via Alessandro Fleming 4, 37135, Verona, Italy
| | - Iain Lingard
- Evotec-Aptuit (Verona) Srl, Via Alessandro Fleming 4, 37135, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joanne Teague
- Evotec, No. 23F, Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Corbett
- Evotec, No. 23F, Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Bauch
- Evotec-Cyprotex, No. 24, Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lloyd Payne
- Evotec, No. 23F, Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hazel Fuchs
- Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mark Broenstrup
- Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Peter H Harrison
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre of Human Genomics, 7 Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Lucile Moynié
- Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QS, United Kingdom
| | - Abirami Lakshminarayanan
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre of Human Genomics, 7 Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Tiberiu-Marius Gianga
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - Rohanah Hussain
- Diamond Light Source Ltd., Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0DE, United Kingdom
| | - James H Naismith
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre of Human Genomics, 7 Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, United Kingdom; Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QS, United Kingdom
| | | | - Eric Bacqué
- Evotec, 1541, Avenue Marcel Mérieux, 69280, Marcy L'Etoile, France
| | - Fredrik Björkling
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100, Denmark
| | | | - Henrik Franzyk
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 162, DK-2100, Denmark
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Chatupheeraphat C, Peamchai J, Kaewsai N, Anuwongcharoen N, Eiamphungporn W. Enhancing the activity of β-lactamase inhibitory protein-II with cell-penetrating peptide against KPC-2-carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296727. [PMID: 38277388 PMCID: PMC10817188 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) is considered a paramount threat due to its rapid spread and high mortality rate. Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs), specifically KPC-2, are prevalent enzymes responsible for carbapenem resistance in many countries. While combinations of antibiotics are commonly used, they must be tailored to match the remaining susceptibility of the infecting strains. Therefore, there is a need to develop the β-lactamase inhibitor to effectively address this issue. β-lactamase inhibitor protein (BLIP) and its variants, BLIP-I and BLIP-II, have demonstrated the ability to inhibit class A β-lactamases. In particular, BLIP-II shows strong binding to the KPC-2 carbapenemase, making it a potential candidate for inhibition. To improve the intracellular penetration of BLIP-II, a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) was employed. In this study, a KRK-rich peptide was introduced at either the N-terminal or C-terminal region of tBLIP-II, excluding the signal sequence of the BLIP-II protein. tBLIP-II, tBLIP-II-CPP, and CPP-BLIP-II were successfully expressed, and the chimeric proteins retained inhibitory activity compared to tBLIP-II alone. It is apparent that homology modeling demonstrated neither the poly-histidine tag nor the CPP interfered with the essential interaction residues of tBLIP-II. Interestingly, BLIP-II-CPP exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, reducing the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of meropenem by 8 folds. Moreover, the combination of tBLIP-CPP with meropenem significantly decreased the viable bacterial cell count compared to the combination of tBLIP-II with meropenem or meropenem alone. These findings suggest that tBLIP-CPP is a promising candidate for restoring carbapenem susceptibility against CRE and provides a valuable therapeutic option for infections caused by CRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chawalit Chatupheeraphat
- Center for Research Innovation and Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Jiratchaya Peamchai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Noramon Kaewsai
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuttapat Anuwongcharoen
- Department of Community Medical Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Warawan Eiamphungporn
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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40
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Sharafi T, Ghaemi EA, Rafiee M, Ardebili A. Combination antimicrobial therapy: in vitro synergistic effect of anti-staphylococcal drug oxacillin with antimicrobial peptide nisin against Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolates and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2024; 23:7. [PMID: 38245727 PMCID: PMC10800071 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-024-00667-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability of Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus to form strong biofilm on plastic devices makes them the major pathogens associated with device-related infections (DRIs). Biofilm-embedded bacteria are more resistant to antibiotics, making biofilm infections very difficult to effectively treat. Here, we evaluate the in vitro activities of anti-staphylococcal drug oxacillin and antimicrobial peptide nisin, alone and in combination, against methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) clinical isolates and the methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43,300. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBEC) of oxacillin and nisin were determined using the microbroth dilution method. The anti-biofilm activities of oxacillin and nisin, alone or in combination, were evaluated. In addition, the effects of antimicrobial agents on the expression of icaA gene were examined by quantitative real-time PCR. MIC values for oxacillin and nisin ranged 4-8 µg/mL and 64-128 µg/mL, respectively. Oxacillin and nisin reduced biofilm biomass in all bacteria in a dose-dependent manner and this inhibitory effect was enhanced with combinatorial treatment. MBEC ranges for oxacillin and nisin were 2048-8192 µg/mL and 2048-4096 µg/mL, respectively. The addition of nisin significantly decreased the oxacillin MBECs from 8- to 32-fold in all bacteria. At the 1× MIC and 1/2× MIC, both oxacillin and nisin decreased significantly the expression of icaA gene in comparison with untreated control. When two antimicrobial agents were combined at 1/2× MIC concentration, the expression of icaA were significantly lower than when were used alone. Nisin/conventional oxacillin combination showed considerable anti-biofilm effects, including inhibition of biofilm formation, eradication of mature biofilm, and down-regulation of biofilm-related genes, proposing its applications for treating or preventing staphylococcal biofilm-associated infections, including device-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toktam Sharafi
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ezzat Allah Ghaemi
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Maryam Rafiee
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Abdollah Ardebili
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
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Beyer L, Schäfer AB, Undabarrena A, Mattsby-Baltzer I, Tietze D, Svensson E, Stubelius A, Wenzel M, Cámara B, Tietze AA. Mimicking Nonribosomal Peptides from the Marine Actinomycete Streptomyces sp. H-KF8 Leads to Antimicrobial Peptides. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:79-92. [PMID: 38113038 PMCID: PMC10788856 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00206] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms within the marine environment have been shown to be very effective sources of naturally produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Several nonribosomal peptides were identified based on genome mining predictions of Streptomyces sp. H-KF8, a marine Actinomycetota isolated from a remote Northern Chilean Patagonian fjord. Based on these predictions, a series of eight peptides, including cyclic peptides, were designed and chemically synthesized. Six of these peptides showed antimicrobial activity. Mode of action studies suggest that two of these peptides potentially act on the cell membrane via a novel mechanism allowing the passage of small ions, resulting in the dissipation of the membrane potential. This study shows that though structurally similar peptides, determined by NMR spectroscopy, the incorporation of small sequence mutations results in a dramatic influence on their bioactivity including mode of action. The qualified hit sequence can serve as a basis for more potent AMPs in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa
I. Beyer
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of
Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan
7B, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Ann-Britt Schäfer
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Agustina Undabarrena
- Departamento
de Química & Centro de Biotecnología Daniel Alkalay
Lowitt, Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología
Ambiental, Universidad Técnica Federico
Santa María, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Inger Mattsby-Baltzer
- Department
of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska
Academy at University of Gothenburg, University
of Gothenburg, Box 440, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Daniel Tietze
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of
Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan
7B, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Elin Svensson
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Stubelius
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
| | - Michaela Wenzel
- Department
of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of
Technology, Kemigården 4, Göteborg 412 96, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Beatriz Cámara
- Departamento
de Química & Centro de Biotecnología Daniel Alkalay
Lowitt, Laboratorio de Microbiología Molecular y Biotecnología
Ambiental, Universidad Técnica Federico
Santa María, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile
| | - Alesia A. Tietze
- Department
of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular
and Translational Medicine, University of
Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan
7B, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden
- Center
for Antibiotic Resistance Research in Gothenburg, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, Göteborg 405 30, Sweden
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42
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Ahmadi Y, Savini F, Mutter N, Barišić I. Application of Antimicrobial Peptides as Diagnostic Biosensors. Anal Chem 2024; 96:256-264. [PMID: 38115687 PMCID: PMC10783173 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c03854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how emerging infectious diseases could quickly affect the global health and economy. New pathogens with pandemic potential are also expected to appear soon. Moreover, the large use of antibiotics has led to the development of different so-called "superbugs" capable of escaping all of the current antibiotics. In this context, the early and cost-effective detection of pathogens is crucial to avoid the spreading of new pathogens. Here, we present molecular sensors for the recognition of a broad panel of different bacterial species. The detection is based on the use of bacteria-binding peptides (BBPs) in combination with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). We developed a reliable ELISA-like assay that permits us to study the affinity of different BBPs toward some of the most important bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasaman Ahmadi
- Molecular
Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Filippo Savini
- Molecular
Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Natalie Mutter
- Molecular
Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ivan Barišić
- Molecular
Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Eko
Refugium, Crno Vrelo
2, 47240 Slunj, Croatia
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43
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Adhikrao PA, Motiram GM, Kumar G. Tackling Nontuberculous Mycobacteria by Repurposable Drugs and Potential Leads from Natural Products. Curr Top Med Chem 2024; 24:1291-1326. [PMID: 38288807 DOI: 10.2174/0115680266276938240108060247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) refer to bacteria other than all Mycobacterium species that do not cause tuberculosis or leprosy, excluding the species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, M. leprae and M. lepromatosis. NTM are ubiquitous and present in soils and natural waters. NTM can survive in a wide range of environmental conditions. The direct inoculum of the NTM from water or other materials is most likely a source of infections. NTMs are responsible for several illnesses, including pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pneumoconiosis, and pulmonary disease. Recent reports suggest that NTM species have become insensitive to sterilizing agents, antiseptics, and disinfectants. The efficacy of existing anti-NTM regimens is diminishing and has been compromised due to drug resistance. New and recurring cases of multidrug-resistant NTM strains are increasing. Thus, there is an urgent need for ant-NTM regimens with novel modes of action. This review sheds light on the mode of antimicrobial resistance in the NTM species. Then, we discussed the repurposable drugs (antibiotics) that have shown new indications (activity against NTM strains) that could be developed for treating NTM infections. Also, we have summarised recently identified natural leads acting against NTM, which have the potential for treating NTM-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patil Amruta Adhikrao
- Department of Natural Products, Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Balanagar, 500037, India
| | - Gudle Mayuri Motiram
- Department of Natural Products, Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Balanagar, 500037, India
| | - Gautam Kumar
- Department of Natural Products, Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Balanagar, 500037, India
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Soares RS, Gomes D, Serrano I, Cunha E, Tavares L, Oliveira M. Absence of Synergism between a Dual-AMP Biogel and Antibiotics Used as Therapeutic Agents for Diabetic Foot Infections. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:407. [PMID: 38203579 PMCID: PMC10779294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010407] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are frequently linked to diabetic-related morbidity and death because of the ineffectiveness of conventional antibiotics against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Pexiganan and nisin A are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and their application may complement conventional antibiotics in DFI treatment. A collagen 3D model, previously established to mimic a soft-tissue collagen matrix, was used to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of a guar gum gel containing pexiganan and nisin alone and combined with three antimicrobials toward the biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from infected foot ulcers. Antimicrobials and bacterial diffusion were confirmed by spot-on-lawn and bacterial growth by bacterial count (cfu/mL). Our main conclusion was that the dual-AMP biogel combined with gentamicin, clindamycin, or vancomycin was not able to significantly reduce bacterial growth or eradicate S. aureus and P. aeruginosa DFI isolates. We further reported an antagonism between dual-AMP and dual-AMP combined with antibiotics against S. aureus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Silva Soares
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.S.S.); (D.G.); (E.C.); (L.T.); (M.O.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diana Gomes
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.S.S.); (D.G.); (E.C.); (L.T.); (M.O.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isa Serrano
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.S.S.); (D.G.); (E.C.); (L.T.); (M.O.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.S.S.); (D.G.); (E.C.); (L.T.); (M.O.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.S.S.); (D.G.); (E.C.); (L.T.); (M.O.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA—Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal; (R.S.S.); (D.G.); (E.C.); (L.T.); (M.O.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Avenida da Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Campo Grande 016, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
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45
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Garvey M. Medical Device-Associated Healthcare Infections: Sterilization and the Potential of Novel Biological Approaches to Ensure Patient Safety. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:201. [PMID: 38203372 PMCID: PMC10778788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections caused by multi-drug-resistant pathogens are increasing globally, and current antimicrobial options have limited efficacy against these robust species. The WHO details the critically important bacterial and fungal species that are often associated with medical device HAIs. The effective sterilization of medical devices plays a key role in preventing infectious disease morbidity and mortality. A lack of adherence to protocol and limitations associated with each sterilization modality, however, allows for the incidence of disease. Furthermore, issues relating to carcinogenic emissions from ethylene oxide gas (EtO) have motivated the EPA to propose limiting EtO use or seeking alternative sterilization methods for medical devices. The Food and Drug Administration supports the sterilization of healthcare products using low-temperature VH2O2 as an alternative to EtO. With advances in biomaterial and medical devices and the increasing use of combination products, current sterilization modalities are becoming limited. Novel approaches to disinfection and sterilization of medical devices, biomaterials, and therapeutics are warranted to safeguard public health. Bacteriophages, endolysins, and antimicrobial peptides are considered promising options for the prophylactic and meta-phylactic control of infectious diseases. This timely review discusses the application of these biologics as antimicrobial agents against critically important WHO pathogens, including ESKAPE bacterial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Garvey
- Department of Life Science, Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland;
- Centre for Precision Engineering, Materials and Manufacturing Research (PEM), Atlantic Technological University, F91 YW50 Sligo, Ireland
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46
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Bull TJ, Munshi T, Lopez-Perez PM, Tran AC, Cosgrove C, Bartolf A, Menichini M, Rindi L, Parigger L, Malanovic N, Lohner K, Wang CJH, Fatima A, Martin LL, Esin S, Batoni G, Hilpert K. Specific Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides Enhance the Recovery of Low-Load Quiescent Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Routine Diagnostics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17555. [PMID: 38139385 PMCID: PMC10743970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The culture confirmation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) with culture conversion representing proof of cure. However, over 40% of TB samples fail to isolate MTB even though many patients remain infectious due to the presence of viable non-culturable forms. Previously, we have shown that two short cationic peptides, T14D and TB08L, induce a hormetic response at low concentrations, leading to a stimulation of growth in MTB and the related animal pathogen Mycobacterium bovis (bTB). Here, we examine these peptides showing they can influence the mycobacterial membrane integrity and function through membrane potential reduction. We also show this disruption is associated with an abnormal reduction in transcriptomic signalling from specific mycobacterial membrane sensors that normally monitor the immediate cellular environment and maintain the non-growing phenotype. We observe that exposing MTB or bTB to these peptides at optimal concentrations rapidly represses signalling mechanisms maintaining dormancy phenotypes, which leads to the promotion of aerobic metabolism and conversion into a replicative phenotype. We further show a practical application of these peptides as reagents able to enhance conventional routine culture methods by stimulating mycobacterial growth. We evaluated the ability of a peptide-supplemented sample preparation and culture protocol to isolate the MTB against a gold standard routine method tested in parallel on 255 samples from 155 patients with suspected TB. The peptide enhancement increased the sample positivity rate by 46% and decreased the average time to sample positivity of respiratory/faecal sampling by seven days. The most significant improvements in isolation rates were from sputum smear-negative low-load samples and faeces. The peptide enhancement increased sampling test sensitivity by 19%, recovery in samples from patients with a previously culture-confirmed TB by 20%, and those empirically treated for TB by 21%. We conclude that sample decontamination and culture enhancement with D-enantiomer peptides offer good potential for the much-needed improvement of the culture confirmation of TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim J. Bull
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK (K.H.)
| | - Tulika Munshi
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK (K.H.)
| | | | - Andy C. Tran
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK (K.H.)
| | - Catherine Cosgrove
- St. George’s Hospital NHS Trust, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK; (C.C.)
| | - Angela Bartolf
- St. George’s Hospital NHS Trust, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK; (C.C.)
| | - Melissa Menichini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (L.R.); (S.E.); (G.B.)
| | - Laura Rindi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (L.R.); (S.E.); (G.B.)
| | - Lena Parigger
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz, Humboldstrasse 50/III, 800 Graz, Austria; (L.P.); (K.L.)
| | - Nermina Malanovic
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz, Humboldstrasse 50/III, 800 Graz, Austria; (L.P.); (K.L.)
| | - Karl Lohner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Biophysics Division, University of Graz, Humboldstrasse 50/III, 800 Graz, Austria; (L.P.); (K.L.)
| | - Carl J. H. Wang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia (A.F.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Anam Fatima
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia (A.F.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Lisandra L. Martin
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia (A.F.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Semih Esin
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (L.R.); (S.E.); (G.B.)
| | - Giovanna Batoni
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy (L.R.); (S.E.); (G.B.)
| | - Kai Hilpert
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK (K.H.)
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47
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Pipiya SO, Kudzhaev AM, Mirzoeva NZ, Mokrushina YA, Ziganshin RH, Komlev AS, Petrova PE, Smirnov IV, Gabibov AG, Shamova OV, Terekhov SS. Bioengineering the Antimicrobial Activity of Yeast by Recombinant Thanatin Production. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1719. [PMID: 38136753 PMCID: PMC10741026 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12121719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The global spread of antibiotic resistance marks the end of the era of conventional antibiotics. Mankind desires new molecular tools to fight pathogenic bacteria. In this regard, the development of new antimicrobials based on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is again of particular interest. AMPs have various mechanisms of action on bacterial cells. Moreover, AMPs have been reported to be efficient in preclinical studies, demonstrating a low level of resistance formation. Thanatin is a small, beta-hairpin antimicrobial peptide with a bacterial-specific mode of action, predetermining its low cytotoxicity toward eukaryotic cells. This makes thanatin an exceptional candidate for new antibiotic development. Here, a microorganism was bioengineered to produce an antimicrobial agent, providing novel opportunities in antibiotic research through the directed creation of biocontrol agents. The constitutive heterologous production of recombinant thanatin (rThan) in the yeast Pichia pastoris endows the latter with antibacterial properties. Optimized expression and purification conditions enable a high production level, yielding up to 20 mg/L of rThan from the culture medium. rThan shows a wide spectrum of activity against pathogenic bacteria, similarly to its chemically synthesized analogue. The designed approach provides new avenues for AMP engineering and creating live biocontrol agents to fight antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiya O. Pipiya
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
| | - Arsen M. Kudzhaev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
| | - Nisso Z. Mirzoeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
| | - Yuliana A. Mokrushina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
| | - Rustam H. Ziganshin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
| | - Alexey S. Komlev
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, WCRC “Center for Personalized Medicine”, Saint-Petersburg 197022, Russia; (A.S.K.); (P.E.P.); (O.V.S.)
| | - Polina E. Petrova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, WCRC “Center for Personalized Medicine”, Saint-Petersburg 197022, Russia; (A.S.K.); (P.E.P.); (O.V.S.)
| | - Ivan V. Smirnov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Mscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Alexander G. Gabibov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Mscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Olga V. Shamova
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, WCRC “Center for Personalized Medicine”, Saint-Petersburg 197022, Russia; (A.S.K.); (P.E.P.); (O.V.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Stanislav S. Terekhov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997, Russia; (A.M.K.); (N.Z.M.); (Y.A.M.); (R.H.Z.); (I.V.S.); (A.G.G.)
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Memariani M, Memariani H. Antifungal properties of cathelicidin LL-37: current knowledge and future research directions. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 40:34. [PMID: 38057654 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03852-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The threat of fungal diseases is substantially underestimated worldwide, but they have serious consequences for humans, animals, and plants. Given the limited number of existing antifungal drugs together with the emergence of drug-resistant strains, many researchers have actively sought alternatives or adjuvants to antimycotics. The best way to tackle these issues is to unearth potential antifungal agents with new modes of action. Antimicrobial peptides are being hailed as a promising source of novel antimicrobials since they exhibit rapid and broad-spectrum microbicidal activities with a reduced likelihood of developing drug resistance. Recent years have witnessed an explosion in knowledge on microbicidal activity of LL-37, the sole human cathelicidin. Herein, we provide a summary of the current understanding about antifungal properties of LL-37, with particular emphasis on its molecular mechanisms. We further illustrate fruitful areas for future research. LL-37 is able to inhibit the growth of clinically and agronomically relevant fungi including Aspergillus, Candida, Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Malassezia, Pythium, and Trichophyton. Destruction of the cell wall integrity, membrane permeabilization, induction of oxidative stress, disruption of endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, formation of autophagy-like structures, alterations in expression of numerous fungal genes, and inhibition of cell cycle progression are the key mechanisms underlying antifungal effects of LL-37. Burgeoning evidence also suggests that LL-37 may act as a potential anti-virulence peptide. It is hoped that this review will not only motivate researchers to conduct more detailed studies in this field, but also inspire further innovations in the design of LL-37-based drugs for the treatment of fungal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Memariani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Memariani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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van Gent ME, Klodzinska SN, Drijfhout JW, Nielsen HM, Nibbering PH. Encapsulation in oleyl-modified hyaluronic acid nanogels substantially improves the clinical potential of the antimicrobial peptides SAAP-148 and Ab-Cath. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 193:254-261. [PMID: 37944710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising alternatives to antibiotics for treatment of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacterial infections. However, their narrow therapeutic window due to in vivo toxicity and limited stability hampers their clinical use. Here, we evaluated encapsulation of two amphiphilic AMPs, SAAP-148 and snake cathelicidin Ab-Cath, into oleyl-modified hyaluronic acid (OL-HA) nanogels to improve their selectivity index. The AMP-loaded OL-HA nanogels ranged 181-206 nm in size with a PDI of 0.2, highly negative surface charge (-47 to -48 mV) and moderate encapsulation efficiency (53-63%). The AMP-loaded OL-HA nanogels displayed similar activity in vitro as AMP solutions against AMR Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, with a dose-dependent effect over time. Importantly, the AMP-loaded OL-HA nanogels showed decreased cytotoxicity towards human erythrocytes and primary skin fibroblast, thereby improving the selectivity index of SAAP-148 and Ab-Cath by 2- and 16.8-fold, respectively. Particularly, the selectivity of Ab-Cath-loaded OL-HA nanogels has great clinical potential, with an index that reached ≥ 300 for S. aureus and ≥ 3000 for A. baumannii. These findings indicate that OL-HA nanogels are a promising drug delivery system to reduce the cytotoxicity of AMPs without substantially affecting their antimicrobial activity, thereby increasing their selectivity index and potential as therapeutics to combat AMR bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam E van Gent
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Sylvia N Klodzinska
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery (BioDelivery), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Wouter Drijfhout
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Hanne M Nielsen
- Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery (BioDelivery), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter H Nibbering
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands
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50
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Freitas CG, Felipe MS. Candida albicans and Antifungal Peptides. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:2631-2648. [PMID: 37940816 PMCID: PMC10746669 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00889-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Candida albicans, a ubiquitous opportunistic fungal pathogen, plays a pivotal role in human health and disease. As a commensal organism, it normally resides harmlessly within the human microbiota. However, under certain conditions, C. albicans can transition into a pathogenic state, leading to various infections collectively known as candidiasis. With the increasing prevalence of immunocompromised individuals and the widespread use of invasive medical procedures, candidiasis has become a significant public health concern. The emergence of drug-resistant strains further complicates treatment options, highlighting the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Antifungal peptides (AFPs) have gained considerable attention as potential candidates for combating Candida spp. infections. These naturally occurring peptides possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including specific efficacy against C. albicans. AFPs exhibit several advantageous properties, such as rapid killing kinetics, low propensity for resistance development, and diverse mechanisms of action, making them promising alternatives to conventional antifungal agents. In recent years, extensive research has focused on discovering and developing novel AFPs with improved efficacy and selectivity against Candida species. Advances in biotechnology and synthetic peptide design have enabled the modification and optimization of natural peptides, enhancing their stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, several challenges must be addressed before AFPs can be widely implemented in clinical practice. These include optimizing peptide stability, enhancing delivery methods, overcoming potential toxicity concerns, and conducting comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies. This commentary presents a short overview of candidemia and AFP; articles and reviews published in the last 10 years were searched on The National Library of Medicine (National Center for Biotechnology Information-NIH-PubMed). The terms used were C. albicans infections, antimicrobial peptides, antifungal peptides, antifungal peptides mechanisms of action, candidemia treatments and guidelines, synthetic peptides and their challenges, and antimicrobial peptides in clinical trials as the main ones. Older publications were cited if they brought some relevant concept or helped to bring a perspective into our narrative. Articles older than 20 years and those that appeared in PubMed but did not match our goal to bring updated information about using antifungal peptides as an alternative to C. albicans infections were not considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila G Freitas
- Higher Education Course in Food Technology, Instituto Federal de Brasília (IFB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Felipe
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Graduate Program, Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
- Universidade de Brasília (UNB), Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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