Conjugate of Enkephalin and Temporin Peptides as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Sepsis

Bioconjug Chem. 2018 Dec 19;29(12):4127-4139. doi: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.8b00763. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) exhibit a wide spectrum of actions, ranging from a direct bactericidal effect to multifunctional activities as immune effector molecules. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-inflammatory properties of a DAL-PEG-DK5 conjugate composed of a lysine-rich derivative of amphibian temporin-1CEb (DK5) and dalargin (DAL), the synthetic Leu-enkephalin analogue. Detailed study of the endotoxin-neutralizing activity of the peptide revealed that DAL-PEG-DK5 interacts with LPS and the LPS binding protein (LBP). Moreover, DAL-PEG-DK5 prevented dimerization of TLR4 at the macrophage surface upon LPS stimulation. This inhibited activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and markedly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Finally, we showed that aggregation of DAL-PEG-DK5 into amyloid-like structures induced by LPS neutralized the endotoxin proinflammatory activity. Consequently, DAL-PEG-DK5 reduced morbidity and mortality in vivo, in a mouse model of endotoxin-induced septic shock. Collectively, the data suggest that DAL-PEG-DK5 is a promising therapeutic compound for sepsis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Dimerization
  • Enkephalins / chemistry*
  • Enkephalins / pharmacology
  • Enkephalins / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophage Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peptides / chemistry*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Peptides / therapeutic use*
  • Proteins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / pharmacology
  • Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Sepsis / drug therapy*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Enkephalins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • Tlr4 protein, mouse
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • temporin