Antimicrobial peptides: features, applications and the potential use against covid-19

Abstract

Background Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a diverse class of molecules that represent a vital part of innate immunity. AMPs are evolutionarily conserved molecules that exhibit structural and functional diversity. They provide a possible solution to the antibiotic-resistance crisis. Main text These small cationic peptides can target bacteria, fungi, and viruses, as well as cancer cells. Their unique action mechanisms, rare antibiotic-resistant variants, broad-spectrum activity, low toxicity, and high specificity encourage pharmaceutical industries to conduct clinical trials to develop them as therapeutic drugs. The rapid development of computer-assisted strategies accelerated the identification of AMPs. The Antimicrobial Peptide Database (APD) so far contains 3324 AMPs from different sources. In addition to their applications in different fields, some AMPs demonstrated the potential to combat COVID-19, and hinder viral infectivity in diverse ways. Conclusions This review provides a brief history of AMPs and their features, including classification, evolution, sources and mechanisms of action, biosynthesis pathway, and identification techniques. Furthermore, their different applications, challenges to clinical applications, and their potential use against COVID-19 are presented.

Antimicrobial Peptides and Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Non-Antibiotic Membrane-Targeting Strategies Against Bacterial Infections

“… 13 Increasing evidence shows that AMPs can inhibit SARS-CoV-2, paving the way for their use as therapeutic drugs. 14 Taken together, AMPs have attracted increasing attention in recent years as an attractive class of antimicrobials for the treatment of microbial infections, especially those caused by AMR pathogens.…”

Immunomodulatory Properties of Vitamin D in the Intestinal and Respiratory Systems

“…hCAP-18 is a propeptide that consists of an N-terminal cathelin domain which functions as a cysteine protease inhibitor that has a broad-spectrum antibacterial action and a C-terminal LL-37 domain [ 166 , 170 ]. The LL-37 domain is cleaved off by serine proteases from the kallikrein family [ 169 ] and exhibits specific antibacterial, antimycotic, and antiviral activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis [ 166 , 167 ], Candida albicans [ 166 , 168 , 175 ], and HIV [ 19 , 166 , 175 ], respectively, as mentioned in the study by Meyer et al [ 166 ] and antibacterial activity against Chlamydia trachomatis , as described by Mabrouk [ 175 ].…”

Combined Use of Antimicrobial Peptides with Antiseptics against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: Pros and Cons

“…Additionally, preserving biological activity of the peptides in some dosage forms, e.g., various solutions, for prolonged periods of time may require careful conditioning. Immunomodulatory properties, especially of the organism’s own peptides, should also be approached with caution to avoid triggering autoimmune processes by uncontrolled general administration [ 26 , 27 ]. Although considerable progress in resolving the listed issues has already been made, both systemic reviews [ 25 , 28 ] and overall statistics among the AMP derivatives currently undergoing clinical trials [ 29 , 30 ] indicate that the most accessible area for the early introduction of AMP-based drugs is topical application.…”