Python Cathelicidin CATHPb1 Protects against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcal Infections by Antimicrobial-Immunomodulatory Duality

J Med Chem. 2018 Mar 8;61(5):2075-2086. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00036. Epub 2018 Feb 26.

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant) and VRSA (vancomycin-resistant), causes serious healthcare-associated infections, even sepsis and death. Here, we identified six novel cathelicidins (CATHPb1-6) from Python bivittatu, and CATHPb1 displayed the best in vitro pharmacological and toxicological profile. We further show that CATHPb1 exhibited evident protection in mice MRSA/VRSA infection models, given either 24 h before or 4 h after infection. The protection was all effective through different administration routes, but was blocked by in vivo depletion of monocyte/macrophages or neutrophils. CATHPb1 can rapidly and massively modulate macrophages/monocytes and neutrophils trafficking to the infection site, and potentiate their bactericidal functions. Meanwhile, CATHPb1 remarkably augmented neutrophil-mediated bacteria killing by facilitating neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation and preventing its degradation. Acting through MAPKs and NF-κB pathways, CATHPb1 selectively enhanced the levels of chemokines while reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines without undesirable toxicities. The much improved serum half-life and stabilities confer CATHPb1 an excellent prospect to become a novel therapeutic agent against multidrug-resistant staphylococcal infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Boidae*
  • Cathelicidins / pharmacology
  • Cathelicidins / therapeutic use*
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  • Mice
  • Phagocytes / cytology
  • Phagocytes / drug effects
  • Phagocytes / immunology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Cathelicidins
  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines