Antimicrobial peptide polymers: no escape to ESKAPE pathogens—a review

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the significant clinical challenges and also an emerging area of concern arising from nosocomial infections of ESKAPE pathogens, which has been on the rise in both the developed and developing countries alike. These pathogens/superbugs can undergo rapid mutagenesis, which helps them to generate resistance against antimicrobials in addition to the patient's non-adherence to the antibiotic regimen. Sticking to the idea of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach has led to the inappropriate administration of antibiotics resulting in augmentation of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the natural host defense peptides that have gained attention in the field of AMR, and recently, synthetic AMPs are well studied to overcome the drawbacks of natural counterparts. This review deals with the novel techniques utilizing the bacteriolytic activity of natural AMPs. The effective localization of these peptides onto the negatively charged bacterial surface by using nanocarriers and structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) owing to its smaller size and better antimicrobial activity is also described here.

Antimicrobial and Amyloidogenic Activity of Peptides. Can Antimicrobial Peptides Be Used against SARS-CoV-2?

“…Another study showed that encapsulation of the AMP in dextran nanoparticles increases the residence time in the lungs of the peptide administered via aerosol [ 131 ]. In a recent work, the effective localization of natural AMPs on a negatively charged bacterial surface was described using structurally nanoengineered AMP polymers (SNAPPs) [ 132 ]. In addition, it was proposed to use cubosomes for local delivery of AMPs [ 133 ].…”

BODIPY‐Based Photosensitizers as Potential Anticancer and Antibacterial Agents: Role of the Positive Charge and the Heavy Atom Effect

“…The ESKAPE pathogens ( Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Enterobacter strains) constitute a major concern as they cause numerous infections with limited therapeutic options, and mortality from drug‐resistant strains of these bacteria has increased over the past few years. Therefore, there is a need for the development of some alternative methods for the treatment of antibiotic‐resistant microorganisms [2,3] . For this reason, a therapy that addresses both of these medical problems is particularly interesting.…”

“…Therefore, there is a need for the development of some alternative methods for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. [2,3] For this reason, a therapy that addresses both of these medical problems is particularly interesting. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved approach to the treatment of localized cancer and non-cancer lesions and a perspective modality to treat microbial induced pathologies (photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy, PACT).…”

Insects, Rodents, and Pets as Reservoirs, Vectors, and Sentinels of Antimicrobial Resistance

“…The capacity of insect antimicrobial peptides as antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal factors is reported in the literature [ 268 , 269 ]. Synthetic antimicrobial peptides or polymers are attracting significant research attention as an alternative therapy to AMR compared to conventional antimicrobials [ 270 ]. Thus, scope exists to develop novel antimicrobials from such insect antimicrobial peptides, but this aspect warrants further investigation.…”