Antimicrobial peptides: therapeutic potential for the treatment of Candida infections.
The increasing frequency of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients together with the emergence of strains resistant to currently used antifungal drugs point to an increased need for a new class of antimycotics. Antimicrobial peptides are promising candidates for the treatment of fungal infections since they have both mechanisms of action distinct from available antifungal agents and the ability to regulate the host immune defence systems as well. This review focuses on Candida albicans as a large amount of work on the mechanisms of action of classical antifungals as well as antimicrobial peptides, such as defensins, protegrins, histatins and lactoferrin (LF)-derived peptides, has been performed in this yeast. Analogues of these antimicrobial peptides and combinations of antimicrobial peptides with classical antimycotics are under investigation for treatment of candidiasis.
Lupetti
Antonella
A
Department of Infectious Diseases, C5-P Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
Danesi
Romano
R
van 't Wout
Jan W
JW
van Dissel
Jaap T
JT
Senesi
Sonia
S
Nibbering
Peter H
PH
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D023082:Defensins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011506:Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D023082:Defensins; D011506:Proteins; D000099053:Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein; D007781:Lactoferrin