title: Synthetic antibiofilm peptides.
abstract: Bacteria predominantly exist as multicellular aggregates known as biofilms that are associated with at least two thirds of all infections and exhibit increased adaptive resistance to conventional antibiotic therapies. Therefore, biofilms are major contributors to the global health problem of antibiotic resistance, and novel approaches to counter them are urgently needed. Small molecules of the innate immune system called host defense peptides (HDPs) have emerged as promising templates for the design of potent, broad-spectrum antibiofilm agents. Here, we review recent developments in the new field of synthetic antibiofilm peptides, including mechanistic insights, synergistic interactions with available antibiotics, and their potential as novel antimicrobials against persistent infections caused by biofilms. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Antimicrobial peptides edited by Karl Lohner and Kai Hilpert.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de la Fuente-Núñez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marlon Henrique
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elizabete
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Souza Cândido
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Centro de Análises Proteômicas e Bioquímicas, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil; S-Inova Biotech, Programa de Pós Graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Octavio Luiz
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Electronic address: bob@hancocklab.com.
authors.forename: Robert E W
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hancock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015195:Drug Design; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Biofilms; Biomaterials; Persistent infections; Synergy; Synthetic peptides