R. Perumal Samy, P. Gopalakrishnakone and Vincent T.K. Chow

Infectious Diseases Programme, Department of Microbiology,
Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,
National University Health System (NUHS), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597

Abstract:

Skin is the first line of defense against invasion of microbial agents. A number of endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown to play an integral part in innate immunity. Small synthetic peptide molecules that display inherent activity against bacteria can use directly treat wounds to prevent or kill bacterial infection. The peptide composed of 10 to 15-mer amino acids form beta-sheet, having a high content of cationic and hydrophobic residues were found to be extremely effective at killing both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus), and Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug resistant Burkholderia pseudomallei and Klebsiella pneumoniae. No additional supplementary antibacterial agents are necessary. Complete structure activity relationship was determined for these AMPs peptides. Wound healing studies in mice showed that basic residues of AMPs largely influence to potentially accelerate the healing of wounds by topical application and clear bacteria within short-time. The optimal concentration of these peptides demonstrated very high potency of bacterial killing and non-toxic towards human erythrocytes as well as human cells. The obtained data highlight the potential of using as an alternative treatment for antibiotic therapy of bacteria infected wounds.