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Published on: May 12, 2020
Antimicrobial Peptide Expression at the Ocular Surface and Their Therapeutic Use in the Treatment of Microbial
Allison H Shannon1, Sara A Adelman2, Erin A Hisey1
1Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.
Abstract:
Microbial keratitis is a common cause of ocular pain and visual impairment worldwide. The ocular surface has a relatively paucicellular microbial community, mostly found in the conjunctiva, while the cornea would be considered relatively sterile. However, in patients with microbial keratitis, the cornea can be infected with multiple pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Fusarium sp. Treatment with topical antimicrobials serves as the standard of care for microbial keratitis, however, due to high rates of pathogen resistance to current antimicrobial medications, alternative therapeutic strategies must be developed. Multiple studies have characterized the expression and activity of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), endogenous peptides with key antimicrobial and wound healing properties, on the ocular surface. Recent studies and clinical trials provide promise for the use of AMPs as therapeutic agents. This article reviews the repertoire of AMPs expressed at the ocular surface, how expression of these AMPs can be modulated, and the potential for harnessing the AMPs as potential therapeutics for patients with microbial keratitis.
Insights
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise for treating microbial keratitis, an eye infection resistant to conventional drugs. Harnessing ocular surface AMPs offers a new therapeutic strategy for this common cause of vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Microbial keratitis causes significant ocular pain and visual impairment globally.
- The cornea is typically sterile, but keratitis involves infections by pathogens like *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.
- Antimicrobial resistance necessitates alternative treatments for microbial keratitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) expressed on the ocular surface.
- To explore methods for modulating AMP expression.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of AMPs for microbial keratitis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on ocular surface AMPs.
- Analysis of research on AMP expression modulation.
- Evaluation of clinical trial data for AMP therapeutics.
Main Results:
- The ocular surface hosts a diverse repertoire of AMPs with antimicrobial and wound-healing functions.
- AMP expression can be influenced by various factors.
- AMPs demonstrate potential as effective treatments for microbial keratitis.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial peptides represent a promising therapeutic avenue for microbial keratitis.
- Targeting ocular surface AMPs could overcome challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.
- Further research and clinical application of AMPs are warranted for treating eye infections.
