Issue 19, 2022

Recent advances in the design of antimicrobial peptide conjugates

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ubiquitous host defense peptides characterized by their antibiotic activity and lower propensity for developing resistance compared to classic antibiotics. While several AMPs have shown activity against antibiotic-sensitive and even multi-drug resistant strains, some bottlenecks to further development and clinical applications are still present, for instance, low antimicrobial activity, instability under physiological conditions, systemic toxicity and the potential for compromising the innate host defense immunity. Conjugation to molecules such as proteins, synthetic polymers, small molecules and nanoparticles are strategies under investigation to boost the therapeutic efficacy of AMPs. This review focuses on the design and application of AMPs’ conjugates. In silico tools for creating new AMPs and AMPs’ conjugates and their clinical development are also discussed. Furthermore, key future considerations regarding the major achievements and challenges of AMPs’ conjugates in the antimicrobial resistance context are presented as a take-home message.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in the design of antimicrobial peptide conjugates

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
15 12 2021
Accepted
22 2 2022
First published
22 2 2022

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022,10, 3587-3600

Recent advances in the design of antimicrobial peptide conjugates

A. R. P. Silva, M. S. Guimarães, J. Rabelo, L. H. Belén, C. J. Perecin, J. G. Farías, J. H. P. M. Santos and C. O. Rangel-Yagui, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022, 10, 3587 DOI: 10.1039/D1TB02757C

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