Use of the antimicrobial peptide Epinecidin-1 to protect against MRSA infection in mice with skin injuries.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes infections through open skin injuries, and its resistance makes treatment difficult. The antimicrobial peptide Epinecidin-1 (Epi-1) has been reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumor functions. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of Epi-1 against skin trauma-mediated MRSA infection in mice. One square centimeter of outer skin was excised from the ventral region of mice, and a lethal dose of MRSA was applied in the presence or absence of methicillin, vancomycin, or Epi-1. While untreated mice and mice treated with methicillin died within four days, mice treated with Epi-1 survived infection. Epi-1 decreased MRSA bacterial counts in the wounded region, enhanced wound closure, and increased angiogenesis at the injury site. Treatment with Epi-1 decreased serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1, and regulated the recruitment of monocytes and clearance of lymphocytes around the wounded region during healing. In conclusion, Epi-1 may be effective at treating clinical MRSA, and may enhance wound recovery when combined with collagen.
Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2, Pei-Ning Road, Keelung, Taiwan.
Han-Ning
HN
Huang
Venugopal
V
Rajanbabu
Chieh-Yu
CY
Pan
Yi-Lin
YL
Chan
Chang-Jer
CJ
Wu
Jyh-Yih
JY
Chen
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D051379:Mice; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries* / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D029941:Fish Proteins; C521392:epinecidin-1, Epinephelus coioides
Antimicrobial peptide; Epinecidin-1; MBT-2; MRSA; Skin injury