Article
Infectious Diseases
Dawid Zyrek, Andrzej Wajda, Paulina Czechowicz, Joanna Nowicka, Maciej Jaskiewicz, Damian Neubauer, Wojciech Kamysz
Summary: Fungi from the Candida genus are a common cause of fungal infections worldwide, with a high demand for new drugs capable of eradicating their biofilms. Antimicrobial peptides show promise in this regard. The combination of Omiganan and fluconazole in the treatment of fungal bloodstream infections has shown additive and synergistic effects, potentially reducing adverse effects and improving safety profile.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Ahmed G. G. Abdelhamid, Ahmed E. E. Yousef
Summary: Biofilms are complex multicellular structures formed by microorganisms on living or nonliving surfaces. They often lead to persistent infections, increased antibiotic resistance, and recurrence of infections. This review focuses on the clinical problem of biofilm infections and highlights current and emerging antibiofilm strategies, including disrupting quorum sensing, preventing bacterial adhesion, degrading the extracellular matrix, and developing nanoparticle-based drug complexes. However, challenges such as limited effectiveness, cytotoxicity, and resistance need to be addressed.
Review
Microbiology
Francesca Bugli, Cecilia Martini, Maura Di Vito, Margherita Cacaci, Daniele Catalucci, Alessandro Gori, Michele Iafisco, Maurizio Sanguinetti, Alberto Vitali
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a major global health and social issue that will have significant repercussions on world health and the economy in the near future. To address this, researchers in medical, microbiological, and biochemical fields are exploring the potential of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as an alternative to conventional drugs. This review focuses on the application of AMPs in the specific context of cystic fibrosis (CF), highlighting different types of natural, naturally modified, and synthetic peptides, as well as strategies to overcome barriers and adapt to physiological conditions.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ida Kristine Lysgaard Andersen, Thomas T. Thomsen, Jasmina Rashid, Thomas Ronnemoes Bobak, Alberto Oddo, Henrik Franzyk, Anders Lobner-Olesen, Paul R. Hansen
Summary: The present study investigated the effect of C-terminus-to-side chain macrocyclization and fatty acid modification on the antimicrobial and hemolytic activity of BP214, an all-D antimicrobial peptide amide. The results showed that analog 13 exhibited the most promising antimicrobial activity against E. coli and low hemolytic activity.
Article
Microbiology
Simona Fioriti, Oscar Cirioni, Oriana Simonetti, Lucia Franca, Bianca Candelaresi, Francesco Pallotta, Damian Neubauer, Elzbieta Kamysz, Wojciech Kamysz, Benedetta Canovari, Lucia Brescini, Gianluca Morroni, Francesco Barchiesi
Summary: Aspergillosis, caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, is a group of diseases that are severe, especially in patients with co-morbidities. The first-line therapy, triazoles, is facing an increasing incidence of drug resistance. Therefore, there is a need for new antifungal molecules. This study tested the antifungal activity of two lipopeptides against azole-resistant A. fumigatus. The lipopeptides showed antifungal activity with dose-dependent effects and inhibited hyphae growth. These findings highlight the potential of lipopeptides as effective alternatives to overcome antifungal resistance.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jing Li, Dongru Chen, Huancai Lin
Summary: Biofilms are responsible for most infections, making it crucial to find effective antibiofilm agents with low cytotoxicity. Among 51 peptides classified into 14 categories, 14 representative peptides showed antibiofilm activity against both bacteria and fungi, with 4 peptides having lower MBIC values than their MICs.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Quanyi Liu, Sheng Zhao, Yihong Zhang, Qi Fang, Wanling Liu, Rong Wu, Gen Wei, Hui Wei, Yan Du
Summary: Embedding antioxidant Prussian blue family nanozymes into cosmetic contact lenses can effectively prevent ocular surface diseases and provide a new strategy for the development of wearable biomedical devices using nanomaterials.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oktawian Stachurski, Damian Neubauer, Aleksandra Walewska, Emilia Ilowska, Marta Bauer, Sylwia Bartoszewska, Karol Sikora, Aleksandra Hac, Dariusz Wyrzykowski, Adam Prahl, Wojciech Kamysz, Emilia Sikorska
Summary: This study investigates short cationic antimicrobial lipopeptides with a high propensity to fibrillate, which exhibit high activity and stability on bacterial membranes, and low cytotoxicity against human cells. The findings suggest that monomers are the main active form and the target of action of the lipopeptides is the bacterial membrane.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Juanjuan Xu, Yuanpei Li, Haojie Wang, Mengxi Zhu, Wenpo Feng, Gaofeng Liang
Summary: The study successfully developed an AMP@PDA@AgNPs nanocomposite with excellent biocompatibility and strong antimicrobial activity, capable of disrupting bacterial biofilms. The nanocomposite showed potential in treating bacterial infections by inhibiting the expression of biofilm-related genes. The synergistic strategy of AMPs and AgNPs provided a new perspective for the treatment of bacterial infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Stefania Scialla, Giorgia Martuscelli, Francesco Nappi, Sanjeet Singh Avtaar Singh, Adelaide Iervolino, Domenico Larobina, Luigi Ambrosio, Maria Grazia Raucci
Summary: The increasing number of cardiac and orthopaedic implanted medical devices has led to a rise in device-associated infections, which are potentially lethal for patients. Treatment of these infections is limited to systemic antibiotics and invasive revision surgeries, impacting healthcare burdens. Research aims to describe the main causes of infection onset and explore the biological and clinical pathophysiology.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Furqan A. Maulvi, Ditixa T. Desai, Kiran H. Shetty, Dinesh O. Shah, Mark D. P. Willcox
Summary: The delivery of drugs to ocular tissues can be challenging, and drug-laden contact lenses are being explored as a possible solution. However, there are several issues that need to be addressed before clinical application and commercialization, such as changes in contact lens properties during manufacture.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Andrea Mescola, Gregorio Ragazzini, Paolo Facci, Andrea Alessandrini
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides and lipopeptides are promising molecules against resistant bacterial infections, with broad-spectrum activity and rapid bactericidal action. They act on the bacterial membrane, disrupting its structure and permeability, through physical interactions that make it difficult for the bacteria to develop resistance. By understanding their mechanism of action, new synthetic peptides can be developed to enhance bactericidal activity. Atomic force microscopy provides a valuable technique to study the effects of antimicrobial peptides and lipopeptides on lipid bilayers, and can be used alongside fluorescence microscopy to investigate different lipids. This combination of techniques can help unravel the mechanisms of action at both micro and nanoscales and design more efficient antimicrobial compounds.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jong-Kook Lee, Soyoung Park, Young-Min Kim, Taeuk Guk, Min-Young Lee, Seong-Cheol Park, Jung Ro Lee, Mi-Kyeong Jang
Summary: This study identified a peptide with antifungal and antibiofilm effects as a potential agent against Candida albicans on contact lenses.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Shalini Sanyal, Venkatesh Ravula
Summary: Pesticide exposure leads to deterioration of ocular health and various eye conditions such as irritation, tear overproduction, surface abrasions, and decreased visual acuity. Eye tissues absorb pesticides more quickly and are more susceptible to damage. Current methods of mitigating pesticide-induced toxicity, such as topical eye drops, have limited efficacy due to low bioavailability and short duration. Contact lenses and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems show promise in increasing bioavailability and prolonging drug effects. This review focuses on the futuristic aspects of using contact lenses for drug delivery and corneal protection from ocular toxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria De Luca, Rosa Gaglione, Bartolomeo Della Ventura, Angela Cesaro, Rocco Di Girolamo, Raffaele Velotta, Angela Arciello
Summary: The researchers have successfully developed a simple method to load antimicrobial peptides onto PDMS, resulting in a functionalized material that is stable, antimicrobial, and biocompatible.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maciej Jaskiewicz, Damian Neubauer, Kamil Kazor, Sylwia Bartoszewska, Wojciech Kamysz
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tomasz Wasilewski, Bartosz Szulczynski, Marek Wojciechowski, Wojciech Kamysz, Jacek Gebicki
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damian Neubauer, Maciej Jaskiewicz, Marta Bauer, Krzysztof Golacki, Wojciech Kamysz
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damian Neubauer, Maciej Jaskiewicz, Emilia Sikorska, Sylwia Bartoszewska, Marta Bauer, Malgorzata Kapusta, Magdalena Narajczyk, Wojciech Kamysz
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Karol Sikora, Maciej Jaskiewicz, Damian Neubauer, Dorian Migon, Wojciech Kamysz
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Damian Neubauer, Maciej Jaskiewicz, Marta Bauer, Agata Olejniczak-Keder, Emilia Sikorska, Karol Sikora, Wojciech Kamysz
Summary: This study found that adding branches fatty acid chains and N-terminal hydrophobic amino acid residues in gemini cationic surfactants can enhance their selectivity towards pathogens, with relatively low hemolytic and cytotoxic activities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Kotynia, Benita Wiatrak, Wojciech Kamysz, Damian Neubauer, Paulina Jawien, Aleksandra Marciniak
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides are promising compounds for infection treatment. Metal ions play a crucial role in activating these peptides. This study focused on new pseudopeptides and their coordination behavior with Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions, showing potential biological activity and metal ion-binding capabilities. The cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds and their complexes were evaluated, indicating promising results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kamila Rzad, Ewa Paluszkiewicz, Damian Neubauer, Mateusz Olszewski, Katarzyna Kozlowska-Tylingo, Wojciech Kamysz, Iwona Gabriel
Summary: The synthesized compound showed high antifungal activity and only the conjugate was effective by entering the fungal cells and accumulating inside, possibly through altering the permeability of the fungal cell membrane to achieve killing activity. The conjugate exhibited promising results in antifungal activity with low cytotoxicity against human cell lines, indicating potential clinical applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oriana Simonetti, Oscar Cirioni, Gaia Goteri, Guendalina Lucarini, Elzbieta Kamysz, Wojciech Kamysz, Fiorenza Orlando, Giulio Rizzetto, Elisa Molinelli, Gianluca Morroni, Roberto Ghiselli, Mauro Provinciali, Andrea Giacometti, Annamaria Offidani
Summary: LL-37 has a potential future role in the management of infected wounds, promoting wound healing and angiogenesis.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tomasz Wasilewski, Bartosz Szulczynski, Dominik Dobrzyniewski, Weronika Jakubaszek, Jacek Gebicki, Wojciech Kamysz
Summary: Cleaning a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is crucial for regenerating biosensors. This article compares three methods (electrochemical, oxygen plasma, and Piranha solution) for cleaning QCM, and evaluates their effectiveness through resonant frequency measurements. The results show that all methods are suitable for cleaning peptide-based biosensors, but Piranha method is the most invasive.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ekaterina Pivovarova, Alina Climova, Marcin Swiatkowski, Marek Staszewski, Krzysztof Walczynski, Marek Dziegielewski, Marta Bauer, Wojciech Kamysz, Anna Krzeslak, Pawel Jozwiak, Agnieszka Czylkowska
Summary: This study synthesized three new copper coordination compounds containing thiazole-based derivatives, evaluated their structures and physicochemical characterization, studied pharmacokinetics using SwissADME, and expressed antimicrobial activity as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) based on computational and MTT analysis results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Oktawian Stachurski, Damian Neubauer, Aleksandra Walewska, Emilia Ilowska, Marta Bauer, Sylwia Bartoszewska, Karol Sikora, Aleksandra Hac, Dariusz Wyrzykowski, Adam Prahl, Wojciech Kamysz, Emilia Sikorska
Summary: This study investigates short cationic antimicrobial lipopeptides with a high propensity to fibrillate, which exhibit high activity and stability on bacterial membranes, and low cytotoxicity against human cells. The findings suggest that monomers are the main active form and the target of action of the lipopeptides is the bacterial membrane.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Kotynia, Aleksandra Marciniak, Wojciech Kamysz, Damian Neubauer, Edward Krzyzak
Summary: In this project, the interaction between positively charged oligopeptides and crucial blood plasma proteins was studied using experimental characterization and molecular docking studies. The peptides investigated are rich in NH2 groups of amino acid side chains and have therapeutic properties. The binding interactions with blood plasma components, such as albumin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, and gamma-globulin fraction, were investigated under pseudo-physiological conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karol Sikora, Marta Bauer, Sylwia Bartoszewska, Damian Neubauer, Wojciech Kamysz
Summary: This study investigates the effect of glycosylation on the biological activity of ultrashort cationic lipopeptides (USCLs). It shows that glycosylation does not necessarily enhance antimicrobial activity or decrease hemolytic and cytotoxic activities, but in some cases, glycosylated USCLs (gUSCLs) exhibit superior activity compared to their unmodified counterparts (USCLs).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elzbieta Kamysz, Emilia Sikorska, Marta Bauer, Karol Sikora, Damian Neubauer
Summary: The positioning and extent of lipidation have a significant impact on the antibacterial and hemolytic activities of lipopeptides. The lipidation site and extent are closely related to the bacterial specificity of the lipopeptides. Lipopeptides with a higher net charge exhibit better selectivity. Overall charge of lipopeptides plays a pivotal role in their biological activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
