Design of a hydroxyapatite-binding antimicrobial peptide with improved retention and antibacterial efficacy for oral pathogen control

Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 2:6:38410. doi: 10.1038/srep38410.

Abstract

Controlling and reducing the formation of pathogenic biofilm on tooth surface is the key to the prevention and treatment of the biofilm-associated oral diseases. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), considered as possible future alternatives for conventional antibiotics, have been extensively studied for the control of bacterial infection. Due to the rapid dilution and degradation by human saliva, AMP preparations designed for oral use with longer retention and higher efficacy are in urgent need. To this end, a hydroxyapatite (HAp)-binding antimicrobial peptide (HBAMP), which is based on the fusion of a specific HAp-binding heptapeptide (HBP7) domain and a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide (KSLW) domain, has been developed in our laboratory. HBAMP was supposed to form a contact-active antibacterial interface on tooth surface to inhibit the formation of biofilms. In this study, we investigated its binding behaviour, antibacterial activity against bacteria in both planktonic and sessile states, enzymatic stability in human saliva, and cytocompatibility to human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Our findings suggest that HBAMP could adsorb on tooth surface to provide effective antibacterial activity with improved retention. This study provides a proof-of-concept on using conjugated molecules to promote antibacterial efficacy by synergistically actions of HBAMP free in solution and bound on tooth surface.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinomyces viscosus / drug effects
  • Actinomyces viscosus / growth & development
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemistry
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / chemistry
  • Delayed-Action Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Durapatite / chemistry*
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / microbiology
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Gingiva / cytology
  • Gingiva / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus / drug effects
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus / growth & development
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plankton / drug effects*
  • Plankton / growth & development
  • Protein Binding
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Saliva / microbiology
  • Streptococcus mutans / drug effects
  • Streptococcus mutans / growth & development
  • Streptococcus sanguis / drug effects
  • Streptococcus sanguis / growth & development

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Durapatite