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ABSTRACT: Proteolytic degradation and release of microgel-bound peptides was investigated for trypsin, poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) microgels (70-90 µm in diameter), and oppositely charged polylysine, using a method combination of confocal microscopy and micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy. Results show that trypsin-induced release of polylysine increased with increasing trypsin concentration, decreasing microgel charge density, and decreasing peptide molecular weight. While the microgel offered good protection against enzymatic degradation at high microgel charge density, it was also observed that the cationic peptide enabled trypsin to bind throughout the peptide-loaded microgels, even when it did not bind to the peptide-void ones. With the exception of highly charged microgels, proteolytic degradation throughout the peptide-loaded microgel resulted in the generation of short and non-adsorbing peptide stretches, giving rise to the concentration and peptide length dependence observed. A simple random scission model was able to qualitatively capture these experimental findings. Collectively, the results demonstrate that microgel charge density, peptide molecular weight, and enzyme concentration greatly influence degradation/release of microgel-bound peptides, and need to be considered in the use of microgels, e.g., as carriers for protein and peptide drugs.
Biomacromolecules 06/2013; · 5.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The abundant serine proteinase inhibitor heparin cofactor II (HCII) has been proposed to inhibit extravascular thrombin. However, the exact physiological role of this plasma protein remains enigmatic. In this study, we demonstrate a previously unknown role for HCII in host defense. Proteolytic cleavage of the molecule induced a conformational change, thereby inducing endotoxin-binding and antimicrobial properties. Analyses employing representative peptide epitopes mapped these effects to helices A and D. Mice deficient in HCII showed increased susceptibility to invasive infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, along with a significantly increased cytokine response. Correspondingly, decreased levels of HCII were observed in wild-type animals challenged with bacteria or endotoxin. In humans, proteolytically cleaved HCII forms were detected during wounding and in association with bacteria. Thus, the protease-induced uncovering of cryptic epitopes in HCII, which transforms the molecule into a host defense factor, represents a previously unknown regulatory mechanism in HCII biology and innate immunity.
The Journal of Immunology 05/2013; · 5.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Interactions with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), both in aqueous solution and in lipid membranes, were investigated for a series of amphiphilic peptides derived from the C-terminal region of human thrombin, using ellipsometry, dual polarization interferometry, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), dynamic light scattering, and z-potential measurements. The ability of these peptides to block endotoxic effects caused by LPS, monitored through NO production in macrophages, was compared to peptide binding to LPS and its endotoxic component lipid A, and to size, charge, and secondary structure of peptide/LPS complexes. While the anti-endotoxic peptide GKY25 (GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE) displayed significant binding to both LPS and lipid A, so did two control peptides with either selected D-amino acid substitutions or with maintained composition but scrambled sequence, both displaying strongly attenuated anti-endotoxic effects. Hence, the extent of LPS or lipid A binding is not the sole discriminant for the anti-endotoxic effect of these peptides. In contrast, helix formation in peptide/LPS complexes correlates to the anti-endotoxic effect of these peptides, and is potentially linked to this functionality. Preferential binding to LPS over lipid membrane was furthermore demonstrated for these peptides, and preferential binding to the lipid A moiety within LPS inferred.
Biomacromolecules 03/2013; · 5.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The interaction between lightly cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) microgels and oppositely charged peptides was investigated as a function of peptide length, charge density, pH, and salt concentration, with emphasis on the strong coupling regime at high charge contrast. By micromanipulator-assisted light microscopy, the equilibrium volume response of single microgel particles upon oligolysine and oligo(lysine/alanine) absorption could be monitored in a controlled fashion. Results show that microgel deswelling, caused by peptide binding and network neutralization, increases with peptide length (3 < 5 < 10) and charge density (30% < 50% < 100%). Furthermore, oligomer-induced microgel deswelling was more pronounced at pH 5 than at pH 8, reflecting the lower network charge density in the former case (pK(a) for the isolated acrylic acid ≈4.7). In order to describe these highly coupled systems, a model was developed, in which counterion/peptide-mediated electrostatic attraction between the network chains is described using an exponential force law, and the network elasticity by the inverse Langevin theory. The model was used to calculate the composition of microgels in contact with reservoir solutions of peptides and simple electrolytes. At high electrostatic coupling, the calculated swelling curves were found to display first-order phase transition behavior. The model was demonstrated to capture pH- and electrolyte-dependent microgel swelling, as well as effects of peptide length and charge density on microgel deswelling. The analysis demonstrated that the peptide charge (length), rather than the peptide charge density, determines microgel deswelling. Furthermore, a transition between continuous and discrete network collapse was identified, consistent with experimental results in the present investigations, as well as with results from the literature on microgel deswelling caused by multivalent cations.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 08/2012; 116(35):10964-75. · 3.70 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The skin encounters many potential pathogens present in the environment, where Candida spp. are among the most common causes of fungal infestation. Midkine (MK) is a heparin-binding growth factor that is constitutively produced in the epidermis and this study looks at the antifungal activity of MK, potential co-localization and mode of action of MK.
We show that MK is expressed in association with fungal infections of the skin. In vitro, MK showed strong fungicidal activity against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. Scanning electron microscopy of fungi revealed blebbing and leakage of intracellular contents, indicating membrane interactions. Immunoelectron microscopy showed accumulation of MK in association with the membrane, but also a high degree of internalization, suggesting intracellular targets as well. Using liposome models mimicking fungal and human cell membranes (i.e. ergosterol- and cholesterol-containing membranes, respectively), MK was found to disrupt ergosterol-containing membranes to a higher degree than cholesterol-containing vesicles. Addition of increasing concentrations of salt caused a partial and dose-dependent decrease in the fungicidal activity exerted by MK in parallel with a decreased affinity for the yeast. However, at salt concentrations similar to those of an epithelial context (i.e. 50-100 mM), MK retained most of its fungicidal activity, in contrast to that of plasma (150 mM).
The findings suggest that MK plays a role in host defence against fungal infections and could serve as a template for development of novel antifungal treatments.
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 04/2012; 67(8):1927-36. · 5.07 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The mechanisms underlying antimicrobial and anti-endotoxic effects were investigated for a series of structurally related peptides derived from the C-terminal region of S1 peptidases. For this purpose, results on bacterial killing were compared to those on peptide-induced liposome leakage, and to ellipsometry and dual polarization interferometry results on peptide binding to, and disordering of, supported lipid bilayers. Furthermore, the ability of these peptides to block endotoxic effects caused by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), monitored through NO production in macrophages, was compared to the binding of these peptides to LPS, and to secondary structure formation in the peptide/LPS complex. Bacteria killing, occurring through peptide-induced membrane lysis, was found to correlate with liposome rupture, and with the extent of peptide binding to the lipid membrane, no adsorption threshold for peptide insertion being observed. Membrane and LPS binding was found to depend on peptide net charge, illustrated by LPS binding increasing with increasing peptide charge, and peptides with net negative charge being unable to lyse membranes, kill bacteria, and block LPS-induced endotoxic effect. These effects were, however, also influenced by peptide hydrophobicity. LPS binding was furthermore demonstrated to be necessary, but not sufficient, for anti-endotoxic effect of these peptides. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that pronounced helix formation occurs in peptide/LPS complexes for all peptides displaying anti-endotoxic effect, hence potentially linked to this functionality. Similarly, ordered secondary structure formation was correlated to membrane binding, lysis, and antimicrobial activity of these peptides. Finally, preferential binding of these peptides to LPS over the lipid membrane was demonstrated.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 04/2012; 1818(9):2244-51. · 4.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The innate immune factors controlling Candida albicans are mostly unknown. Vulvovaginal candidiasis is common in women and affects approximately 70-75% of all women at least once. Despite the propensity of Candida to colonize the vagina, transmission of Candida albicans following sexual intercourse is very rare. This prompted us to investigate whether the post coital vaginal milieu contained factors active against C. albicans. By CFU assays, we found prominent candidacidal activity of post coital seminal plasma at both neutral and the acid vaginal pH. In contrast, normal seminal plasma did not display candidacidal activity prior to acidification. By antifungal gel overlay assay, one clearing zone corresponding to a protein band was found in both post coital and normal seminal plasma, which was subsequently identified as β-microseminoprotein. At neutral pH, the fungicidal activity of β-microseminoprotein and seminal plasma was inhibited by calcium. By NMR spectroscopy, amino acid residue E(71) was shown to be critical for the calcium coordination. The acidic vaginal milieu unleashed the fungicidal activity by decreasing the inhibitory effect of calcium. The candidacidal activity of β-microseminoprotein was mapped to a fragment of the C-terminal domain with no structural similarity to other known proteins. A homologous fragment from porcine β-microseminoprotein demonstrated calcium-dependent fungicidal activity in a CFU assay, suggesting this may be a common feature for members of the β-microseminoprotein family. By electron microscopy, β-microseminoprotein was found to cause lysis of Candida. Liposome experiments demonstrated that β-microseminoprotein was active towards ergosterol-containing liposomes that mimic fungal membranes, offering an explanation for the selectivity against fungi. These data identify β-microseminoprotein as an important innate immune factor active against C. albicans and may help explain the low sexual transmission rate of Candida.
PLoS Pathogens 04/2012; 8(4):e1002625. · 9.13 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial peptides are important effector molecules of the innate immune system. Here, we describe that peptides derived from the heparin-binding disulfide-constrained loop region of human ß-amyloid precursor protein are antimicrobial. The peptides investigated were linear and cyclic forms of NWCKRGRKQCKTHPH (NWC15) as well as the cyclic form comprising the C-terminal hydrophobic amino acid extension FVIPY (NWCKRGRKQCKTHPHFVIPY; NWC20c). Compared with the benchmark antimicrobial peptide LL-37, these peptides efficiently killed the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. Correspondingly, fluorescence and electron microscopy demonstrated that the peptides caused defects in bacterial membranes. Analogously, the peptides permeabilised negatively charged liposomes. Despite their bactericidal effect, the peptides displayed very limited hemolytic activities within the concentration range investigated and exerted very small membrane permeabilising effects on human epithelial cells. The efficiency of the peptides with respect to bacterial killing and liposome membrane leakage was in the order NWC20c > NWC15c > NWC15l, which also correlated to the adsorption density for these peptides at the model lipid membrane. Thus, whereas the cationic sequence is a minimum determinant for antimicrobial action, a constrained loop-structure as well as a hydrophobic extension further contributes to membrane permeabilising activity of this region of amyloid precursor protein.
Journal of Peptide Science 03/2012; 18(3):183-91. · 1.80 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) is a double chain cationic lipid, which assembles as bilayer structures in aqueous solution. The precise structures formed depend on, e.g., lipid concentration and temperature. We here combine differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS) to investigate the thermal and structural behavior of up to 120 mM DODAB in water within the temperature range 1-70°C. Below 1 mM, this system is dominated by unilamellar vesicles (ULVs). Between 1 and 65 mM, ULVs and multilamellar structures (MLSs) co-exist, while above 65 mM, the MLSs are the preferred structure. Depending on temperature, DSC and X-ray data show that the vesicles can be either in the subgel (SG), gel, or liquid crystalline (LC) state, while the MLSs (with lattice distance d = 36.7 Å) consist of interdigitated lamellae in the SG state, and ULVs in the LC state (no Bragg peak). Critical temperatures related to the thermal transitions of these bilayer structures obtained in the heating and cooling modes are reported, together with the corresponding transition enthalpies.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(9):e44702. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI-2) is a matrix-associated serine protease inhibitor with an enigmatic function in vivo. Here, we describe that TFPI-2 is present in fibrin of wounds and also expressed in skin, where it is up-regulated upon wounding.
Neutrophil elastase cleaved TFPI-2, and a C-terminal fragment was found to bind to bacteria. Similarly, a prototypic peptide representing this C-terminal part, EDC34, bound to bacteria and bacterial lipopolysaccharide, and induced bacterial permeabilization. The peptide also induced leakage in artificial liposomes, and displayed a random coil conformation upon interactions with liposomes as well as lipopolysaccharide. EDC34 was antibacterial against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in physiological buffer conditions.
The results demonstrate that the C-terminus of TFPI-2 encodes for antimicrobial activity, and may be released during wounding.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(12):e52772. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Gram-negative sepsis is accompanied by a disproportionate innate immune response and excessive coagulation mainly induced by endotoxins released from bacteria. Due to rising antibiotic resistance and current lack of other effective treatments there is an urgent need for new therapies. We here present a new treatment concept for sepsis and endotoxin-mediated shock, based on host defense peptides from the C-terminal part of human thrombin, found to have a broad and inhibitory effect on multiple sepsis pathologies. Thus, the peptides abrogate pro-inflammatory cytokine responses to endotoxin in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, they interfere with coagulation by modulating contact activation and tissue factor-mediated clotting in vitro, leading to normalization of coagulation responses in vivo, a previously unknown function of host defense peptides. In a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis, the peptide GKY25, while mediating a modest antimicrobial effect, significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory response, decreased fibrin deposition and leakage in the lungs, as well as reduced mortality. Taken together, the capacity of such thrombin-derived peptides to simultaneously modulate bacterial levels, pro-inflammatory responses, and coagulation, renders them attractive therapeutic candidates for the treatment of invasive infections and sepsis.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(12):e51313. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin-7-like cytokine expressed by epithelial cells and reported to be involved in allergic diseases and atopic eczema. The presence of several predicted α-helical regions in TSPL, a structure characterizing many classical antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), prompted us to investigate whether TSLP exerts antimicrobial activities. Recombinant human TSLP exerted antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria. Using synthetic overlapping peptide 20-mers of TSLP, it was demonstrated that the antimicrobial effect is primarily mediated by the C-terminal region of the protein. MKK34 (MKKRRKRKVTTNKCLEQVSQLQGLWRRFNRPLLK), a peptide spanning a C-terminal α-helical region in TSLP, showed potent antimicrobial activities, in physiological salt conditions and in the presence of human plasma. Fluorescent studies of peptide-treated bacteria, electron microscopy and liposome leakage models showed that MKK34 exerted membrane-disrupting effects comparable to those of the classical AMP LL-37. Moreover, TSLP was degraded into multiple fragments by staphylococcal V8 proteinase. One major antimicrobial degradation fragment was found to encompass the C-terminal antimicrobial region defined by the MKK34 peptide. We here describe a novel antimicrobial role for TSLP. The antimicrobial activity is primarily mediated by the C-terminal part of the protein. In combination with the previously known cytokine function of TSLP, our result indicates dual functions of the molecule and a previously unknown role in host defense.
Experimental Dermatology 12/2011; 20(12):1004-10. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Life-threatening infectious diseases are on their way to cause a worldwide crisis, as treating them effectively is becoming increasingly difficult due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) form an ancient type of innate immunity found universally in all living organisms, providing a principal first-line of defense against the invading pathogens. The unique diverse function and architecture of AMPs has attracted considerable attention by scientists, both in terms of understanding the basic biology of the innate immune system, and as a tool in the design of molecular templates for new anti-infective drugs. AMPs are gene-encoded short (<100 amino acids), amphipathic molecules with hydrophobic and cationic amino acids arranged spatially, which exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. AMPs have been the subject of natural evolution, as have the microbes, for hundreds of millions of years. Despite this long history of co-evolution, AMPs have not lost their ability to kill or inhibit the microbes totally, nor have the microbes learnt to avoid the lethal punch of AMPs. AMPs therefore have potential to provide an important breakthrough and form the basis for a new class of antibiotics. In this review, we would like to give an overview of cationic antimicrobial peptides, origin, structure, functions, and mode of action of AMPs, which are highly expressed and found in humans, as well as a brief discussion about widely abundant, well characterized AMPs in mammals, in addition to pharmaceutical aspects and the additional functions of AMPs.
Critical Reviews in Biotechnology 11/2011; 32(2):143-71. · 6.47 Impact Factor
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Ola Kilsgård,
Pia Andersson, Martin Malmsten,
Sara L Nordin,
Helena M Linge,
Mette Eliasson,
Eva Sörenson,
Jonas S Erjefält,
Johan Bylund,
Anders I Olin,
Ole E Sørensen,
Arne Egesten
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ABSTRACT: Bacterial colonization of the lower respiratory tract is frequently seen in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and may cause exacerbations leading to disease progression. Antimicrobial peptides comprise an important part of innate lung immunity, and not least the cathelicidin human cationic antimicrobial protein-18/LL-37. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADIs) post-translationally modify proteins by converting cationic peptidylarginine residues to neutral peptidylcitrulline. An increased presence of PADI2 and citrullinated proteins was demonstrated in the lungs of smokers. In this study, preformed PADI4, stored in granulocytes and extracellularly in the lumina of bronchi, was found in lung tissue of individuals suffering from COPD. In vitro, recombinant human PADI2 and PADI4 both caused a time- and dose-dependent citrullination of LL-37. The citrullination resulted in impaired antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and nontypable Haemophilus influenzae, but less so against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using artificial lipid bilayers, we observed discrete differences when comparing the disrupting activity of native and citrullinated LL-37, suggesting that differences in cell wall composition are important during interactions with whole bacteria. Furthermore, citrullinated LL-37 showed higher chemotactic activity against mononuclear leukocytes than did native LL-37, but was less efficient at neutralizing lipolysaccharide, and also in converting apoptotic neutrophils into a state of secondary necrosis. In addition, citrullinated LL-37 was more prone to degradation by proteases, whereas the V8 endopetidase of S. aureus cleaved the modified peptide at additional sites, compared with native LL-37. Together, these findings demonstrate novel mechanisms whereby the inflammation-dependent deiminases PADI2 and PADI4 can alter the activites of antibacterial polypeptides, affecting the course of inflammatory disorders such as COPD.
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology 09/2011; 46(2):240-8. · 5.13 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present review focuses on the interaction of microgels and microcapsules with biological macromolecules, particularly peptides and proteins, as well as drug delivery applications of such systems. Results from recent studies on factors affecting peptide/protein binding to, and release from, microgels and related systems are discussed, including effects of network properties, as well as protein aggregation, peptide length, hydrophobicity and charge (distributions), secondary structure, and cyclization. Effects of ambient conditions (pH, ionic strength, temperature, etc.) are also discussed, all with focus on factors of importance for the performance of microgel and microcapsule delivery systems for biomacromolecular drugs.
Advanced drug delivery reviews 09/2011; 63(13):1172-85. · 11.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The cyclotide family of plant-derived peptides is defined by a cyclic backbone and three disulfide bonds locked into a cyclic cystine knot. They display a diverse range of biological activities, many of which have been linked to an ability to target biological membranes. In the current work, we show that membrane binding and disrupting properties of prototypic cyclotides are dependent on lipid composition, using neutral (zwitterionic) membranes with or without cholesterol and/or anionic lipids. Cycloviolacin O2 (cyO2) caused potent membrane disruption, and showed selectivity towards anionic membranes, whereas kalata B1 and kalata B2 cyclotides were significantly less lytic towards all tested model membranes. To investigate the role of the charged amino acids of cyO2 in the membrane selectivity, these were neutralized using chemical modifications. In contrast to previous studies on the cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of these derivatives, the Glu6 methyl ester of cyO2 was more potent than the native peptide. However, using membranes of Escherichia coli lipids gave the opposite result: the activity of the native peptide increased 50-fold. By using a combination of ellipsometry and LC-MS, we demonstrated that this unusual membrane specificity is due to native cyO2 extracting preferentially phosphatidylethanolamine-lipids from the membrane, i.e., PE-C16:0/cyC17:0 and PE-C16:0/C18:1.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 07/2011; 1808(11):2665-73. · 4.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Serine proteases of the S1 family have maintained a common structure over an evolutionary span of more than one billion years, and evolved a variety of substrate specificities and diverse biological roles, involving digestion and degradation, blood clotting, fibrinolysis and epithelial homeostasis. We here show that a wide range of C-terminal peptide sequences of serine proteases, particularly from the coagulation and kallikrein systems, share characteristics common with classical antimicrobial peptides of innate immunity. Under physiological conditions, these peptides exert antimicrobial effects as well as immunomodulatory functions by inhibiting macrophage responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. In mice, selected peptides are protective against lipopolysaccharide-induced shock. Moreover, these S1-derived host defense peptides exhibit helical structures upon binding to lipopolysaccharide and also permeabilize liposomes. The results uncover new and fundamental aspects on host defense functions of serine proteases present particularly in blood and epithelia, and provide tools for the identification of host defense molecules of therapeutic interest.
Journal of Innate Immunity 05/2011; 3(5):471-82. · 4.21 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Peptides of the C-terminal region of human thrombin are released upon proteolysis and identified in human wounds. In this study, we wanted to investigate minimal determinants, as well as structural features, governing the antimicrobial and immunomodulating activity of this peptide region. Sequential amino acid deletions of the peptide GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE (GKY25), as well as substitutions at strategic and structurally relevant positions, were followed by analyses of antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungus Candida albicans. Furthermore, peptide effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, lipoteichoic acid-, or zymosan-induced macrophage activation were studied. The thrombin-derived peptides displayed length- and sequence-dependent antimicrobial as well as immunomodulating effects. A peptide length of at least 20 amino acids was required for effective anti-inflammatory effects in macrophage models, as well as optimal antimicrobial activity as judged by MIC assays. However, shorter (>12 amino acids) variants also displayed significant antimicrobial effects. A central K14 residue was important for optimal antimicrobial activity. Finally, one peptide variant, GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVI (GKY20) exhibiting improved selectivity, i.e., low toxicity and a preserved antimicrobial as well as anti-inflammatory effect, showed efficiency in mouse models of LPS shock and P. aeruginosa sepsis. The work defines structure-activity relationships of C-terminal host defense peptides of thrombin and delineates a strategy for selecting peptide epitopes of therapeutic interest.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 03/2011; 55(6):2880-90. · 4.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The importance of peptide secondary structure on the interaction between antimicrobial peptides and oppositely charged poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) microgels of various charge density was investigated for EFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLV (EFK17). Through D-enantiomer (EFK17-d/a; E(dF)KR(dI)VQR(dI)KD(dF)LRNLV) or tryptophan (EFK17-W/a; EWKRWVQRWKDFLRNLV) substitutions, both conformation-dependent and -independent amphiphilicity of this peptide could be precisely controlled. Peptide secondary structure was investigated by circular dichroism, whereas microgel deswelling and reswelling in response to peptide binding and release were studied by micromanipulator-assisted light and fluorescence microscopy, and peptide uptake in the microgels was determined from solution depletion measurements. Results show that peptide binding to the microgel is highly influenced by peptide secondary structure. EFK17-a, characterized by an idealized helix with all polar/charged amino acids located at one side of the helix, and all nonpolar/hydrophobic residues on the other, displays pronounced α-helix induction on peptide binding to the microgels. EFK17-d/a, on the other hand, displays no such amphiphilic helix induction. Mirroring this, EFK17-a displays substantially higher binding to the microgels than EFK17-d/a as well as much larger peptide-induced microgel deswelling. For EFK17-W/a, both conformation-dependent and -independent amphiphilicity effects were demonstrated. Overall, the results show that peptide conformational aspects need to be considered in peptide/microgel interactions, for example, in the design of microgel carrier systems for peptide drugs.
Biomacromolecules 02/2011; 12(2):419-24. · 5.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Effects of peptide hydrophobicity on lipid membrane binding, incorporation, and defect formation was investigated for variants of the complement-derived antimicrobial peptide CNY21 (CNYITELRRQHARASHLGLAR), in anionic 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (POPE)/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG) and zwitterionic 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) membranes. Using a method combination of, e.g., ellipsometry, CD, and fluorescence spectroscopy, it was shown that peptide adsorption, as well as peptide-induced liposome leakage and bactericidal potency against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was promoted by increasing the hydrophobicity of CNY21 through either substituting the two histidines (H) in CNY21 with more hydrophobic leucine (L) residues, or end-tagging with tritryptophan (WWW). Fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that both CNY21WWW and the WWW tripeptide localized to the polar headgroup region of these phospholipid membranes. Deuterium NMR experiments on macroscopically oriented membranes containing fully (palmitoyl) deuterated POPC (POPC-d(31)) demonstrated that both CNY21L and CNY21WWW induced disordering of the lipid membrane. In contrast, for cholesterol-supplemented POPC-d(31) bilayers, peptide-induced disordering was less pronounced in the case of CNY21L, indicating that the peptide is unable to partition to the interior of the lipid membrane in the presence of cholesterol. CNY21WWW, on the other hand, retained its membrane-disordering effect also for cholesterol-supplemented POPC-d(31). These findings were supported by pulsed field gradient NMR experiments where the lateral lipid diffusion was determined in the absence and presence of peptides. Overall, the results provide some mechanistic understanding to previously observed effects of peptide hydrophobization through point mutations and end-tagging, particularly so for complement-based antimicrobial peptides.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 01/2011; 1808(1):244-52. · 4.66 Impact Factor
