Abstract
Infection of bone is a severe complication due to the variety of bacteria causing it, their resistance against classical antibiotics, the formation of a biofilm and the difficulty to eradicate it. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are naturally occurring peptides and promising candidates for treatment of joint infections. This study aimed to analyze the effect of short artificial peptides derived from an optimized library regarding (1) antimicrobial effect on different bacterial species, (2) efficacy on biofilms, and (3) effect on osteoblast‑like cells. Culturing the AMP-modifications with Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (including clinical isolates of MRSA and MSSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis identified one candidate that was most effective against all bacteria. This AMP was also able to reduce biofilm as demonstrated by FISH and microcalorimetry. Osteoblast viability and differentiation were not negatively affected by the AMP. A cation concentration comparable to that physiologically occurring in blood had almost no negative effect on AMP activity and even with 10% serum bacterial growth was inhibited. Bacteria internalized into osteoblasts were reduced by the AMP. Taken together the results demonstrate a high antimicrobial activity of the AMP even against bacteria incorporated in a biofilm or internalized into cells without harming human osteoblasts.
Highlights
Infections of bone are a severe complication and can result in a long-term treatment
A severe complication in orthopedic surgery is the development of an implant associated infection, which is difficult to treat and in most cases the removal of the implant combined with a prolonged antimicrobial therapy is necessary[19]
The potency to kill bacteria in a biofilm, as a severe complication associated with materials/implants used in orthopedic surgery, was investigated
Summary
Infections of bone are a severe complication and can result in a long-term treatment. As part of the innate immune system, the main task of AMPs is to build up the first defense barrier against entering pathogens They are approximately between 10–50 amino acids in length and mostly cationic amphipathic peptides, which. AMPs act against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, viruses and fungi, they do not induce resistance and can successfully attack bacteria within a biofilm[7,8,9,10,11]. Due to their interaction with the cell membrane, which is beneficial for their antimicrobial activity, they might interfere with eukaryotic cell membranes resulting in unwanted side effects in therapeutic application. With this peptide the effect on bacteria in a biofilm, the possible cytotoxic effect on human osteoblast-like cells, and the killing of bacteria within osteoblast-like cells was analyzed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
