Short antimicrobial peptides as cosmetic ingredients to deter dermatological pathogens.

Mohammad Rahnamaeian,Andreas Vilcinskas

doi:10.1007/s00253-015-6926-1

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are components of the innate immune system in many species of animals. Their diverse spectrum of activity against microbial pathogens, both as innate defense molecules and immunomodulators, makes them attractive candidates for the development of a new generation of antibiotics. Although the potential immunogenicity of AMPs means they are not suitable for injection and their susceptibility to digestive peptidases is likely to reduce their oral efficacy, they are ideal for topical formulations such as lotions, creams, shampoos, and wound dressings and could therefore be valuable products for the cosmetic industry. In this context, short AMPs (<20 amino acids) lacking disulfide bonds combine optimal antimicrobial activity with inexpensive chemical synthesis and are therefore more compatible with large-scale production and the modifications required to ensure stability, low toxicity, and microbial specificity. Proof-of-concept for the application of AMPs as novel anti-infectives has already been provided in clinical trials. This perspective considers the anti-infective properties of short AMPs lacking disulfide bonds, which are active against dermatologically important microflora. We consider the challenges that need to be addressed to facilitate the prophylactic application of AMPs in personal care products.

Highlights

Animals are covered in protective layers of cells and their secretions, providing a semi-permeable environmental barrier colloquially described as Bskin^
Ranalexin is a cationic peptide 20 residues in length isolated from Rana catesbeiana, which is active against S. aureus, S. pyogenesis, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and C. albicans with a minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) value of 8 μg ml−1 (Aleinein et al 2013); when combined with polymyxin B or linezolid, the MIC value is reduced by 75 % (Aleinein et al 2014)
We have recently shown that the concurrent application of multiple antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) can increase the overall antimicrobial potency in a more than additive manner (Rahnamaeian et al 2015; Pöppel et al 2015)

Summary

Introduction

Animals are covered in protective layers of cells and their secretions, providing a semi-permeable environmental barrier colloquially described as Bskin^. We discuss the antimicrobial properties of short AMPs (fewer than 20 residues, and no disulfide bonds) that are active against dermatologically relevant pathogens as cosmetic ingredients.

Results

Conclusion