Gram-selective antibacterial peptide hydrogels

Biomater Sci. 2022 Jul 12;10(14):3831-3844. doi: 10.1039/d2bm00558a.

Abstract

The human microbiome plays fundamental roles in human health and disease. However, widely used broad-spectrum antibiotics severely disrupt human-related microbial communities, eventually leading to resistant bacteria, posing a growing threat to global medical health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising antimicrobial agents that barely cause bacterial resistance. Excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities have been achieved using hydrogels self-assembled from AMPs, but there is still a lack of AMP hydrogels that can target Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Herein, several hydrogels self-assembled from AMPs, termed IK1, IK3, and IK4, were designed and synthesized. In vitro antibacterial results indicated that the IK1 and IK4 hydrogels specifically targeted Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively, while the IK3 hydrogel targeted both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The desired broad-spectrum or Gram-selective AMP hydrogels are believed to be obtained through the rational design of the hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, and charge properties of the peptide molecules. Good in vivo Gram-selective antibacterial properties and the ability to promote wound healing have been demonstrated via treating mouse wound models with these AMP hydrogels. We believe that these Gram-selective AMP hydrogels could potentially have important applications in treating common recurring infections.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Hydrogels / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Peptides

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Hydrogels
  • Peptides