Development of elastin-like recombinamer films with antimicrobial activity

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• The need for novel antimicrobial agents is growing due to increasing resistance.
• Biopolymers offer a promising platform for developing new antimicrobial materials.
• The ABP-CM4 peptide from Bombyx mori exhibits antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize a recombinant protein-based polymer (rPBP) with broad antimicrobial activity.
• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity of the developed biopolymer.
• To assess the potential of the biopolymer for skin applications.

Main Methods:

• A recombinant protein-based polymer (CM4-A200) was engineered by fusing the ABP-CM4 peptide with an elastin-like recombinamer (A200).
• Purification of CM4-A200 and ABP-CM4 peptide was achieved using a simplified nonchromatographic method and formic acid cleavage, respectively.
• Antimicrobial activity was tested in soluble state and as free-standing films against various microorganisms.
• Cytotoxicity was assessed using human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
• An ex vivo pig skin assay was employed to evaluate film performance for skin applications.

Main Results:

• The CM4-A200 polymer, when processed into free-standing films, demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi.
• Antimicrobial activity was dependent on direct physical contact with the film surface.
• CM4-A200 films exhibited no cytotoxic effects on normal human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
• The ex vivo pig skin assay confirmed the antimicrobial properties of the CM4-A200 films for potential skin applications.

Conclusions:

• The developed CM4-A200 biopolymer, particularly in film form, possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
• The biopolymer is non-cytotoxic to human skin cells, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
• CM4-A200 films show promise as effective antimicrobial materials for topical and skin-related applications.