Are cationic antimicrobial peptides also ‘double-edged swords’?

Abstract

The present view focuses on the possibility that cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) might, in addition to their killing effects due to permeabilization of microbial membranes, also function similarly to β-lactam antibiotics to activate nascent autolytic wall enzymes, leading to bacteriolysis. Since the massive release of microbial cell wall components is a major cause of postinfectious sequelae, the in vivo process of bacteriolysis must be controlled. Due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria, CAMPs might be useful as an alternative to antibiotics. However, they should be used with caution, since they might also function as a ‘double-edged sword’ by injuring both the bacteria and host.

Keywords::

• antibiotic resistance
• autolytic enzymes
• bacteriolysis
• cationic antimicrobial peptides
• lipoteichoic acid
• lysozyme
• membrane permeability
• postinfectious sequelae
• Staphylococcus aureus

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Milu Sadovnic for the excellent preparation of electron microscope micrographs.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This article is supported by an endowment fund donated by the late SM Robbins of Cleveland, OH, USA. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.