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Antimicrobial Peptides as a Strategy to Combat Fungal Biofilms

Nicolas Delattin, Katrijn De Brucker, Kaat De Cremer

  • 1Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 20, box 2460, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
|July 15, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise in combating fungal infections by targeting biofilms, which cause resistance to antifungal drugs. This review explores AMPs

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections pose a significant threat due to high mortality rates linked to drug resistance.
  • Fungal biofilms contribute to phenotypic resistance, tolerating or resisting antifungal agents and promoting systemic infections.
  • Existing antifungal treatments are often ineffective against biofilms, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the antibiofilm properties of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against fungal biofilms.
  • To explore the potential of AMPs in enhancing the efficacy of conventional antifungal agents.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating AMPs against fungal biofilms.
  • Analysis of natural and synthetic AMPs for their antibiofilm mechanisms and effectiveness.
  • Evaluation of AMPs' synergistic effects with existing antifungal drugs.

Main Results:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) demonstrate significant activity against various fungal biofilms.
  • AMPs can disrupt biofilm structure and inhibit fungal growth within biofilms.
  • AMPs show potential to potentiate the activity of established antifungal agents.

Conclusions:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising therapeutic avenue for treating biofilm-associated fungal infections.
  • AMPs can serve as valuable alternatives or adjuncts to current antifungal therapies.
  • Further research into AMPs is crucial for developing new strategies against resistant fungal pathogens.

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