Antimicrobial peptides for tackling cystic fibrosis related bacterial infections: A review

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance is a serious health and social problem that will have a substantial impact in the coming years on the world health and economy. Thus, the increasing demand for innovative antibiotics, has prompted many researchers in the medical, microbiological, and biochemical fields to exploit the properties of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). When properly used, designed, and conveyed, AMPs can really represent a valid alternative to conventional drugs especially in situations that are particularly difficult to treat such as chronic infections found in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. In this review we focused on the applications of AMPs in the specific field of CF, illustrating different types of peptides from natural, naturally modified, synthetic as well as the different strategies used to overcome the barriers, and the physiological conditions in which AMPs must operate.

Keywords: Antibiotic Resistance; Antimicrobial Peptides; Biofilm; Cystic Fibrosis; Drug Delivery; Nanoparticles.