Shaping the Future of Antimicrobial Therapy: Harnessing the Power of Antimicrobial Peptides in Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising class of bioactive molecules with the potential to combat infections associated with medical implants and biomaterials. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of antimicrobial peptides in medical implants and biomaterials, along with their diverse clinical applications. The incorporation of AMPs into various medical implants and biomaterials has shown immense potential in mitigating biofilm formation and preventing implant-related infections. We review the latest advancements in biomedical sciences and discuss the AMPs that were immobilized successfully to enhance their efficacy and stability within the implant environment. We also highlight successful examples of AMP coatings for the treatment of surgical site infections (SSIs), contact lenses, dental applications, AMP-incorporated bone grafts, urinary tract infections (UTIs), medical implants, etc. Additionally, we discuss the potential challenges and prospects of AMPs in medical implants, such as effectiveness, instability and implant-related complications. We also discuss strategies that can be employed to overcome the limitations of AMP-coated biomaterials for prolonged longevity in clinical settings.

Engineering the interaction of short antimicrobial peptides with bacterial barriers

“…153 Notably, the antibiofilm action shown by many AMPs also opens up to their use in the development of biomaterials endowed with intrinsic antimicrobial activity, which could limit the insurgence of infections. 154,155…”