Efficacy of Cathelicidin LL-37 in an MRSA Wound Infection Mouse Model

Background: LL-37 is the only human antimicrobial peptide that belongs to the cathelicidins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of LL-37 in the management of MRSA-infected surgical wounds in mice. Methods: A wound on the back of adult male BALB/c mice was made and inoculated with <...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Oriana Simonetti, Oscar Cirioni, Gaia Goteri, Guendalina Lucarini, Elżbieta Kamysz, Wojciech Kamysz, Fiorenza Orlando, Giulio Rizzetto, Elisa Molinelli, Gianluca Morroni, Roberto Ghiselli, Mauro Provinciali, Andrea Giacometti, Annamaria Offidani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Antibiotics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/10/10/1210
Description
Summary:Background: LL-37 is the only human antimicrobial peptide that belongs to the cathelicidins. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of LL-37 in the management of MRSA-infected surgical wounds in mice. Methods: A wound on the back of adult male BALB/c mice was made and inoculated with <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Two control groups were formed (uninfected and not treated, C0; infected and not treated, C1) and six contaminated groups were treated, respectively, with: teicoplanin, LL-37, given topically and /or systemically. Histological examination of VEGF expression and micro-vessel density, and bacterial cultures of wound tissues, were performed. Results: Histological examination of wounds in the group treated with topical and intraperitoneal LL-37 showed increased re-epithelialization, formation of the granulation tissue, collagen organization, and angiogenesis. Conclusions: Based on the mode of action, LL-37 has a potential future role in the management of infected wounds.
ISSN:2079-6382