Induced Bacterial Cross-Resistance toward Host Antimicrobial Peptides: A Worrying Phenomenon

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has reached alarming levels, threatening to return to the pre-antibiotic era. Therefore, the search for new antimicrobial compounds that overcome the resistance phenomenon has become a priority. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) appear as one of the most promising antibiotic medicines. However, in recent years several AMP-resistance mechanisms have been described. Moreover, the AMP-resistance phenomenon has become more complex due to its association with cross-resistance toward AMP effectors of the host innate immune system. In this context, the use of AMPs as a therapeutic option could be potentially hazardous, since bacteria could develop resistance toward our innate immune system. Here, we review the findings of major studies that deal with the AMP cross-resistance phenomenon.

Study of the Antimicrobial Activity of Tilapia Piscidin 3 (TP3) and TP4 and Their Effects on Immune Functions in Hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.)

“…Currently, bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has reached hazardous levels and may represent an impending return to the pre-antibiotic era [18]. Previous publications have reported a lack of regulation and enforcement of antibiotic use among aquaculture farmers in developing countries [11].…”

Clinical potential of engineered cationic antimicrobial peptides against drug resistant biofilms

“…eCAPs kill rapidly, on the seconds to minutes timescale[12, 13]. The rates of resistance to eCAPs are generally low while the mutants that do arise display variable cross-resistance development rates for natural AMPs[14], which is a topic under intense investigation[15, 16]. To attempt to limit cross-resistance, an intriguing strategy is to utilize eCAPs in conjunction with traditional antibiotics, as the distinct mechanisms of action often result in additive or synergistic activity[11, 17].…”

The next generation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as molecular therapeutic tools for the treatment of diseases with social and economic impacts

“…The development of antibiotics has had a major impact on modern medicine. However, the increasing emergence of antibiotic resistance and the limited development of novel classes of antibiotic over the past four decades has led to a scenario in which some infections are no longer treatable with available antibiotics [14].…”