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Peptide therapeutics for treating ocular surface infections
1Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Medical Microbiology and Immunology, McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health , Madison, Wisconsin.
Abstract:
Microbial pathogens-bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites-are significant causes of blindness, particularly in developing countries. For bacterial and some viral infections a number of antimicrobial drugs are available for therapy but there are fewer available for use in treating fungal and parasitic keratitis. There are also problems with current antimicrobials, such as limited efficacy and the presence of drug-resistant microbes. Thus, there is a need to develop additional drugs. Nature has given us an example of 1 potential source of new antimicrobials: antimicrobial peptides and proteins that are either present in bodily fluids and tissues constitutively or are induced upon infection. Given the nature of peptides, topical applications are the most likely use to be successful and this is ideal for treating keratitis. Such peptides would also be active against drug-resistant pathogens and might act synergistically if used in combination therapy. Hundreds of peptides with antimicrobial properties have been isolated or synthesized but only a handful have been tested against ocular pathogens and even fewer have been tested in animal models. This review summarizes the currently available information on the use of peptides to treat keratitis, outlines some of the problems that have been identified, and discusses future studies that will be needed. Most of the peptides that have been tested have shown activity at concentrations that do not warrant further development, but 1 or 2 have promising activity raising the possibility that peptides can be developed to treat keratitis.
Insights
Antimicrobial peptides show promise for treating keratitis, a major cause of blindness. Further research is needed to develop these natural compounds against drug-resistant microbial pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Microbial keratitis, caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, is a significant cause of blindness, especially in developing nations.
- Current antimicrobial therapies for fungal and parasitic keratitis are limited, with issues of efficacy and emerging drug resistance.
- Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from nature offer a potential source for novel therapeutics against resistant microbes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on the use of antimicrobial peptides for treating keratitis.
- To identify challenges and limitations associated with peptide-based therapies for ocular infections.
- To discuss future research directions for developing AMPs as anti-keratitis agents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating antimicrobial peptides against ocular pathogens.
- Analysis of peptide activity, efficacy, and safety data from in vitro and in vivo studies.
- Evaluation of the potential for topical application and combination therapy.
Main Results:
- Hundreds of antimicrobial peptides exist, but few have been tested against keratitis-causing pathogens.
- Most tested peptides demonstrated insufficient activity for further development.
- One or two peptides exhibit promising activity, suggesting potential for therapeutic development.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial peptides represent a potential new class of drugs for treating keratitis, including cases resistant to conventional antimicrobials.
- Topical application of peptides is suitable for keratitis treatment.
- Further research and development are crucial to overcome current limitations and realize the therapeutic potential of antimicrobial peptides in ophthalmology.
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