An injectable molecular hydrogel assembled by antimicrobial peptide PAF26 for antimicrobial application

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Infectious Diseases
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Wound infection significantly impedes wound healing.
• Antimicrobial biomaterials offer a strategy to control microbial growth and promote recovery.
• Developing effective antimicrobial delivery systems is crucial for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the self-assembly of an amphipathic antimicrobial peptide (PAF26) into a pH-responsive hydrogel.
• To evaluate the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial efficacy of the PAF26-based hydrogel.
• To explore the potential of this injectable hydrogel for antimicrobial therapies.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of the amphipathic antimicrobial peptide (Ac-RKKWFW-NH2, PAF26).
• Investigation of pH-triggered self-assembly of PAF26 into a hydrogel.
• Assessment of hydrogel injectability and shear-thinning properties.
• Antimicrobial assays against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli.

Main Results:

• PAF26 self-assembled into an injectable, shear-thinning hydrogel in response to pH changes.
• The hydrogel demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against tested pathogenic microbes.
• Microbial cell membrane disruption was identified as the mechanism of antimicrobial action.

Conclusions:

• A novel, injectable, pH-responsive antimicrobial peptide hydrogel (PAF26) was successfully developed.
• The hydrogel exhibits significant potential for combating wound infections through direct membrane disruption.
• This study presents a promising new approach for antimicrobial therapies in wound management.