Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, and Anti-inflammatory Effects of a Novel Thrombin-Derived Peptide in Sepsis Models: Insights into Underlying Mechanisms

J Med Chem. 2024 Nov 14;67(21):19791-19812. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02157. Epub 2024 Oct 30.

Abstract

We developed two short helical antimicrobial peptides, HVF18-a3 and its d-enantiomer, HVF18-a3-d, derived from the thrombin C-terminal peptide HVF18. These peptides exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against various bacteria by compromising both the outer and inner membranes, with low hemolytic activity. They are stable in the presence of physiological salts and human serum, exhibiting a low potential for developing drug resistance and excellent antibiofilm activity against Gram-negative bacteria. HVF18-a3-d also neutralized lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through direct binding interactions and suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines through the inflammatory signaling pathway mediated by Toll-like receptor 4 in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Both pre- and post-treatment with HVF18-a3-d significantly protected mice against fatal septic shock induced by carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. These findings suggest HVF18-a3 and HVF18-a3-d are promising candidates for developing antibiotics against Gram-negative sepsis.

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Antimicrobial Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Antimicrobial Peptides / chemistry
  • Antimicrobial Peptides / pharmacology
  • Biofilms* / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • RAW 264.7 Cells
  • Sepsis* / drug therapy
  • Thrombin* / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Thrombin
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Antimicrobial Peptides