The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Agent
The rise in antimicrobial resistant bacteria threatens the current methods utilized to treat bacterial infections. The development of novel therapeutic agents is crucial in avoiding a post-antibiotic era and the associated deaths from antibiotic resistant pathogens. The human antimicrobial peptide L...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-05-01
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| Series: | Antibiotics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/6/650 |
| _version_ | 1797532100782456832 |
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| author | Kylen E. Ridyard Joerg Overhage |
| author_facet | Kylen E. Ridyard Joerg Overhage |
| author_sort | Kylen E. Ridyard |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rise in antimicrobial resistant bacteria threatens the current methods utilized to treat bacterial infections. The development of novel therapeutic agents is crucial in avoiding a post-antibiotic era and the associated deaths from antibiotic resistant pathogens. The human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has been considered as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics as it displays broad spectrum antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities as well as immunomodulatory functions. While LL-37 has shown promising results, it has yet to receive regulatory approval as a peptide antibiotic. Despite the strong antimicrobial properties, LL-37 has several limitations including high cost, lower activity in physiological environments, susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, and high toxicity to human cells. This review will discuss the challenges associated with making LL-37 into a viable antibiotic treatment option, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance and cross-resistance as well as adaptive responses to sub-inhibitory concentrations of the peptide. The possible methods to overcome these challenges, including immobilization techniques, LL-37 delivery systems, the development of LL-37 derivatives, and synergistic combinations will also be considered. Herein, we describe how combination therapy and structural modifications to the sequence, helicity, hydrophobicity, charge, and configuration of LL-37 could optimize the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of LL-37 for future clinical use. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:54:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-12cd5e02d6a54aef9e3823d80bb0739a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-6382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:54:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antibiotics |
| spelling | doaj.art-12cd5e02d6a54aef9e3823d80bb0739a2023-11-21T21:57:42ZengMDPI AGAntibiotics2079-63822021-05-0110665010.3390/antibiotics10060650The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm AgentKylen E. Ridyard0Joerg Overhage1Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, CanadaDepartment of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, CanadaThe rise in antimicrobial resistant bacteria threatens the current methods utilized to treat bacterial infections. The development of novel therapeutic agents is crucial in avoiding a post-antibiotic era and the associated deaths from antibiotic resistant pathogens. The human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has been considered as a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics as it displays broad spectrum antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities as well as immunomodulatory functions. While LL-37 has shown promising results, it has yet to receive regulatory approval as a peptide antibiotic. Despite the strong antimicrobial properties, LL-37 has several limitations including high cost, lower activity in physiological environments, susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, and high toxicity to human cells. This review will discuss the challenges associated with making LL-37 into a viable antibiotic treatment option, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance and cross-resistance as well as adaptive responses to sub-inhibitory concentrations of the peptide. The possible methods to overcome these challenges, including immobilization techniques, LL-37 delivery systems, the development of LL-37 derivatives, and synergistic combinations will also be considered. Herein, we describe how combination therapy and structural modifications to the sequence, helicity, hydrophobicity, charge, and configuration of LL-37 could optimize the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of LL-37 for future clinical use.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/6/650LL-37antimicrobial peptideanti-biofilm peptideantimicrobial resistanceLL-37 derivatives |
| spellingShingle | Kylen E. Ridyard Joerg Overhage The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Agent Antibiotics LL-37 antimicrobial peptide anti-biofilm peptide antimicrobial resistance LL-37 derivatives |
| title | The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Agent |
| title_full | The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Agent |
| title_fullStr | The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Agent |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Agent |
| title_short | The Potential of Human Peptide LL-37 as an Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Agent |
| title_sort | potential of human peptide ll 37 as an antimicrobial and anti biofilm agent |
| topic | LL-37 antimicrobial peptide anti-biofilm peptide antimicrobial resistance LL-37 derivatives |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/6/650 |
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