Treatment of Superbug Infection through a Membrane‐Disruption and Immune‐Regulation Cascade Effect Based on Supramolecular Peptide Hydrogels

Abstract

Infections from antimicrobial resistant pathogens have been considered as lethal threats to human health if antibiotic treatments become ineffective. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity against resistant strains via a membrane disruptive mechanism without developing further resistance and are promising candidates to combat resistant microbes. However, currently developed small molecular AMPs are limited by weak antimicrobial efficacy and potential cytotoxicity. Herein, an antimicrobial AMP hydrogel based on supramolecular self‐assembly is developed. The hydrogel shows strong antimicrobial activity and high potency against antimicrobial resistant microbes. It also possesses high cytocompatibility and immunoregulative activity. The synergistic effects lead to its significant healing of the skin abscess disease induced by the methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. This study not only sheds light on the design strategies and immune‐related antimicrobial actions of supramolecular AMP hydrogels, but also advances the development of self‐assembly peptide platform to fight against antimicrobial resistant infections.

Effective Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection Using Supramolecular Antimicrobial Peptide Hydrogels

“…pylori infection via oral administration. Supramolecular self-assembly of peptides has conferred a novel strategy for antimicrobial therapies. − AMPs can self-assemble and can be loaded into ordered supramolecular structures, leading to controlled release, reduced side effects, and improved activity, stability, and safety. − The in vivo treatment of gastric H. pylori infection with self-assembled AMPs needs to overcome many challenges, including toleration of the extreme gastric acid environment, optimization of controlled release, rapid H.…”

Double-Network Hydrogel with Strengthened Mechanical Property for Controllable Release of Antibacterial Peptide

“…Typically, amphiphilic AMPs facilitate the formation of transmembrane ion channels on the bacterial cell membranes, disrupting the integrity of the membrane, inducing cytoplasmic leakage, and leading to cell death . Such a unique and physical action is less likely to promote bacterial resistance. − Furthermore, the amphiphilic nature of AMPs normally enables them to self-assemble and form hydrogel, making them suitable candidates as antibacterial biomaterials and 3D cell culture scaffolds . However, there are some shortcomings for AMP hydrogels that have limited their applications in the biomaterial fields.…”

High-Density Dynamic Bonds Cross-Linked Hydrogel with Tissue Adhesion, Highly Efficient Self-Healing Behavior, and NIR Photothermal Antibacterial Ability as Dressing for Wound Repair

“…Once a wound is infected, live bacteria secrete large volumes of toxic components that damage the surrounding healthy skin and can cause systemic poisoning or death. , To date, loading traditional antibacterial agents is the most common and effective method to endow hydrogels with antibacterial activity, thus resisting wound infections. Unfortunately, traditional antibacterial agents not only exhibit sustained cytotoxicity that can inhibit wound repair but also induce bacterial resistance, making appropriate treatment all the more difficult. − Near-infrared (NIR) photothermal sterilization, which relies on NIR photosensitizers to convert NIR laser energy into heat to kill bacteria, offers several virtues, including its precision, wide antibacterial spectrum, and minimal side effects, consequently receiving widespread attention in recent years. − Moreover, because it does not use toxic antibacterial agents nor has a specific target, NIR photothermal sterilization does not cause sustained cytotoxicity or lead to bacterial resistance. , As natural NIR photosensitizers, polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA-NPs) exhibit good NIR photothermal properties and excellent biocompatibility and are widely used in NIR photothermal sterilization and antitumor therapies. − …”