Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the arsenals of the innate host defense system, exhibiting evolutionarily conserved characteristics that are present in practically all forms of life. Recent years have witnessed the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria compounded with a slow discovery rate for new antibiotics that have necessitated scientific efforts to search for alternatives to antibiotics. Research on the identification of AMPs has generated very encouraging evidence that they curb infectious pathologies and are also useful as novel biologics to function as immunotherapeutic agents. Being innate, they exhibit the least cytotoxicity to the host and exerts a wide spectrum of biological activity including low resistance among microbes and increased wound healing actions. Notably, in veterinary science, the constant practice of massive doses of antibiotics with inappropriate withdrawal programs led to a high risk of livestock-associated antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, the world faces tremendous pressure for designing and devising strategies to mitigate the use of antibiotics in animals and keep it safe for posterity. In this review, we illustrate the diversity of farm animal-specific AMPs, and their biochemical foundations, mode of action, and prospective application in clinics. Subsequently, we present the data for their systematic classification under the major and minor groups, antipathogenic action, and allied bioactivities in the host. Finally, we address the limitations of their clinical implementation and envision areas for further advancement.
Highlights
Intensive livestock farming has led to a rise in the consumption of antibiotics.Imprudent and excessive use of antibiotics in livestock has resulted in an increase in the incidences of antibiotic resistance in several pathogenic bacterial strains and contamination of dairy and meat products with higher levels of antibiotic residues, posing a very serious threat to human health.In 2010, China, the United States, Brazil, India, and Germany were the five top countries in terms of antimicrobial consumption in food animals with 23%, 13%, 9%, 3%, and 3% of total consumption, respectively
CecP1 was expressed in recombinant Bacillus subtilis that was capable of exhibiting antimicrobial activity against several Gram-negative (E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Haemophilus parasuis) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) [151]
Farm animals harbor a wide range of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)
Summary
Intensive livestock farming has led to a rise in the consumption of antibiotics. In 2010, China, the United States, Brazil, India, and Germany were the five top countries in terms of antimicrobial consumption in food animals with 23%, 13%, 9%, 3%, and 3% of total consumption, respectively. These are known as “host defense peptides” because of their involvement in conferring non-specific innate immunity to the host. The danger of livestock-associated antimicrobial resistance in humans is on the rise. There have been studies on understanding the innate immunity in farm animals, dedicated and systematic studies on AMPs derived from farm animals and their potential as a substitute to antibiotics are not available. We comprehensively updated the information about AMPs in farm animals, their diversity, chemical characteristics, modes of action, and challenges in their clinical applications
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