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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Author Spotlight: Improving the Production of Self-Assembling Fibers and Peptide Hydrogels for Superior Biocompatibility
Published on: September 6, 2024
Gram-selective antibacterial peptide hydrogels
Yangqian Hou1,2,3, Tingyuan Tan1,2,3, Zhen Guo1,2,3
1Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800, China. zhangyi@sinap.ac.cn.
Abstract:
The human microbiome plays fundamental roles in human health and disease. However, widely used broad-spectrum antibiotics severely disrupt human-related microbial communities, eventually leading to resistant bacteria, posing a growing threat to global medical health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising antimicrobial agents that barely cause bacterial resistance. Excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities have been achieved using hydrogels self-assembled from AMPs, but there is still a lack of AMP hydrogels that can target Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Herein, several hydrogels self-assembled from AMPs, termed IK1, IK3, and IK4, were designed and synthesized. In vitro antibacterial results indicated that the IK1 and IK4 hydrogels specifically targeted Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively, while the IK3 hydrogel targeted both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The desired broad-spectrum or Gram-selective AMP hydrogels are believed to be obtained through the rational design of the hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, and charge properties of the peptide molecules. Good in vivo Gram-selective antibacterial properties and the ability to promote wound healing have been demonstrated via treating mouse wound models with these AMP hydrogels. We believe that these Gram-selective AMP hydrogels could potentially have important applications in treating common recurring infections.
Insights
New antimicrobial peptide (AMP) hydrogels show promise for treating infections. These hydrogels can target specific bacteria or offer broad-spectrum activity, aiding wound healing and combating resistance.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- The human microbiome is crucial for health, but broad-spectrum antibiotics disrupt it, fostering antibiotic resistance.
- Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer an alternative with low resistance potential.
- Existing AMP hydrogels lack targeted Gram-positive/Gram-negative specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize novel AMP hydrogels with selective or broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of these AMP hydrogels.
- To explore their potential for wound healing applications.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of AMP hydrogels (IK1, IK3, IK4) based on peptide properties.
- In vitro assessment of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
- In vivo evaluation using mouse wound models to assess antibacterial properties and wound healing.
Main Results:
- IK1 and IK4 hydrogels demonstrated Gram-specific targeting (Gram-positive and Gram-negative, respectively).
- IK3 hydrogel exhibited broad-spectrum activity against both bacterial types.
- In vivo studies confirmed Gram-selective antibacterial effects and promoted wound healing in mice.
Conclusions:
- Rational design of peptide hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, and charge yields targeted AMP hydrogels.
- These Gram-selective AMP hydrogels show potential for treating recurring infections.
- The developed hydrogels offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics for wound management.
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