Lactoferrin-Derived Peptides as a Control Strategy against Skinborne Staphylococcal Biofilms

Abstract

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) widely colonize the human skin and play an active role in host defense. However, these bacteria may cause malodours and increase infection incidence rate in immune-compromised patients and individuals with catheters and implants. CoNS spreading is favored by biofilm formation that also promotes the release of virulence factors and drug resistance. Biofilm control or eradication by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represents an attractive strategy which is worth investigating. In this work, bovine lactoferrin (BLF) hydrolysate (HLF) was in vitro evaluated for its antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against skin-related coagulase negative and positive staphylococci. Despite a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) recorded for HLF ranging from 10 to more than 20 mg/mL, a minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MIBC) equal to 2.5 mg/mL was found for most target strains. Conversely, MIBC values referred to the individual peptides, LFcinB or LFmpin (herein purified and identified) were significantly lower. Finally, the application of 2.5 mg/mL HLF solution by dipping and spraying on biofilm-attached glass surfaces also caused a high biofilm eradication rate depending on the incubation time, thus attracting interest for future applications in cosmetic formulation for skin care.

Milieu matters: An in vitro wound milieu to recapitulate key features of, and probe new insights into, mixed-species bacterial biofilms

“…While the levels of lactoferrin in the plasma and serum of healthy individuals are typically low [ [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] ], in the presence of microbial infections [ 48 ], increased levels are reported in the wound milieu. In addition to possessing antimicrobial properties [ [49] , [50] , [51] ], lactoferrin has also been shown to be important for wound re-epithelialization [ 52 ]. Given this, lactate and lactoferrin were included in the IVWM at concentrations that mimicked host conditions ( Table 1 ).…”

Milieu matters: Anin vitrowound milieu to recapitulate key features of, and probe new insights into, polymicrobial biofilms

“…While the levels of lactoferrin in the plasma and serum of healthy individuals is typically low [46][47][48][49], in the presence of microbial infections [50], increased levels are reported in the wound milieu. In addition to possessing antimicrobial properties [51][52][53], lactoferrin has also been shown to be important for wound re-epithelialization [54]. Given this, lactate and lactoferrin were included in the IVWM at concentrations that mimicked host conditions ( Table 1).…”

The Prospect of Lactoferrin Use as Adjunctive Agent in Management of SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A Randomized Pilot Study

“…Lactoferrin is found in substantial concentrations in neutrophils and serves as a preventive and pathogen-reduction agent in vitro and in vivo [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Lactoferrin deficiency may make some people more vulnerable to infection [ 16 , 17 ]. As a result, it is regarded as a crucial initial line of defense [ 8 , 18 ].…”