Development of elastin-like recombinamer films with antimicrobial activity

Biomacromolecules. 2015 Feb 9;16(2):625-35. doi: 10.1021/bm5016706. Epub 2015 Jan 22.

Abstract

In the present work we explored the ABP-CM4 peptide properties from Bombyx mori for the creation of biopolymers with broad antimicrobial activity. An antimicrobial recombinant protein-based polymer (rPBP) was designed by cloning the DNA sequence coding for ABP-CM4 in frame with the N-terminus of the elastin-like recombinamer consisting of 200 repetitions of the pentamer VPAVG, here named A200. The new rPBP, named CM4-A200, was purified via a simplified nonchromatographic method, making use of the thermoresponsive behavior of the A200 polymer. ABP-CM4 peptide was also purified through the incorporation of a formic acid cleavage site between the peptide and the A200 sequence. In soluble state the antimicrobial activity of both CM4-A200 polymer and ABP-CM4 peptide was poorly effective. However, when the CM4-A200 polymer was processed into free-standing films high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi was observed. The antimicrobial activity of CM4-A200 was dependent on the physical contact of cells with the film surface. Furthermore, CM4-A200 films did not reveal a cytotoxic effect against both normal human skin fibroblasts and human keratinocytes. Finally, we have developed an optimized ex vivo assay with pig skin demonstrating the antimicrobial properties of the CM4-A200 cast films for skin applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry*
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bombyx*
  • Cell Line
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacology
  • Elastin / chemistry*
  • Elastin / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / physiology
  • Humans
  • Skin Absorption / drug effects
  • Skin Absorption / physiology
  • Swine

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Elastin