Title:Antimicrobial Peptides and their Multiple Effects at Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations
VOLUME: 20 ISSUE: 14
Author(s):Bruno Casciaro*, Floriana Cappiello, Walter Verrusio, Mauro Cacciafesta and Maria Luisa Mangoni*
Affiliation:Center For Life Nano Science @ Sapienza, Italian Institute of Technology, Rome 00161, Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185, Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Laboratory affiliated to Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Rome 00185
Keywords:Antimicrobial peptides, Antibiotic resistance, Synergism, Induction of resistance, Pathogenicity, Quorum sensing.
Abstract:The frequent occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains to conventional antimicrobials has led
to a clear decline in antibiotic therapies. Therefore, new molecules with different mechanisms of action
are extremely necessary. Due to their unique properties, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a valid
alternative to conventional antibiotics and many of them have been characterized for their activity and
cytotoxicity. However, the effects that these peptides cause at concentrations below the minimum
growth inhibitory concentration (MIC) have yet to be fully analyzed along with the underlying molecular
mechanism. In this mini-review, the ability of AMPs to synergize with different antibiotic classes or
different natural compounds is examined. Furthermore, data on microbial resistance induction are reported
to highlight the importance of antibiotic resistance in the fight against infections. Finally, the effects
that sub-MIC levels of AMPs can have on the bacterial pathogenicity are summarized while showing
how signaling pathways can be valid therapeutic targets for the treatment of infectious diseases. All
these aspects support the high potential of AMPs as lead compounds for the development of new drugs
with antibacterial and immunomodulatory activities.
