Design and Synthesis of Biocompatible, Hemocompatible, and Highly Selective Antimicrobial Cationic Peptidopolysaccharides via Click Chemistry

Biomacromolecules. 2019 Jun 10;20(6):2230-2240. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00179. Epub 2019 May 22.

Abstract

Despite the excellent antimicrobial activity, the high toxicity and low selectivity of cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their synthetic analogues impede their biomedical applications. In this study, we report a series of cationic peptidopolysaccharides synthesized by thiol-ene click chemistry of grafting antimicrobial polypeptides, methacrylate-ended poly(lysine- random-phenylalanine) (Me-K nF m), onto a thiolated polysaccharide (dextran, Dex) backbone. Their copolymers (Dex- g-K nF m) exhibit potent broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity against Gram-negative bacteria ( Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), Gram-positive bacteria [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis], and fungi ( Candida albicans) with minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 31.25-500 μg·mL-1. More importantly, Dex- g-K nF m copolymers did not induce drug resistance of MRSA up to 17 passages. In addition, these copolymers have an improved hemocompatibility and exhibit good in vitro biocompatibility with murine myoblast (C2C12) cells. Among the synthesized peptidopolysaccharides, DexL- g-K12.5F12.5-50%, as the optimal agent, displayed a selectivity more than 200 times the maximum value of polypeptide molecules. Furthermore, a strong in vivo antimicrobial efficacy with a log reduction above 3 in a mouse bacterial sepsis model has been obtained. These excellent biological properties present a promising prospect for Dex- g-K nF m in biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemical synthesis*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Click Chemistry*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Male
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycoses / drug therapy
  • Proteoglycans / chemical synthesis*
  • Proteoglycans / pharmacology
  • Proteoglycans / therapeutic use
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Proteoglycans
  • polysaccharide peptide