Antimicrobial Peptides as Anti-Infectives against Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a Gram-positive bacteria and a coagulase-negative staphylococcus [1]S. epidermidis forms a part of the skin flora and is also found in the mucous membrane of animals [2] and may penetrate the epithelial barriers of the human body. It has been reported for superficial infections within the sebaceous gland [3]. It is a major causative organism of infections related to implanted medical devices and it is also involved in nosocomial infections (hospital-acquired infections) [4]. Furthermore, it has been identified as one of the major blood culture contaminants [5]. Therefore, it is also named as a nosocomial pathogen or an opportunistic pathogen [6].

S. epidermidis infections mainly occur due to prolonged hospitalization, several surgical procedures during the time of implant and/or infections in other parts of the body. The major entry points of S. epidermidis are skin at the insertion site of the implanted medical device, colonization of the device before implant, microbes shed off from health care workers and airborne contamination. The kind and complexity of the infection depend upon the insertion site and the type of medical device that is introduced. The chance of infection is comparatively high in immunocompromised critically ill patients [2]. There are various factors that influence the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis. Some of these include biofilm formation, secretion of extracellular enzymes and toxins, interference with the host innate immune system and intracellular persistence. The main factor responsible for the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis is for the most part attributed to its ability to attach to the surface and proliferate there [7]. The resultant biofilm formed by the organism undergoes variation at a genetic level and is more resistant to treatment by antibiotics compared to its planktonic culture [1].

Misuse of antibiotics, incorrect diagnosis and over-the-counter availability have resulted in an incessant exposure to antibiotics, posing a hurdle for the treatment of S. epidermidis infections [4]. S. epidermidis has shown resistance to many antibiotics such as methicillin, aminoglycosides, macrolides and, to a lesser extent, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and clindamycin, as well as intermediate resistance to vancomycin [8]. Biofilm formed by S. epidermidis has also shown resistance and decreased penetration to antibiotics such as oxacillin, cefotaxime (β-lactams) and vancomycin (a glycopeptide) [9]. Biofilm formation, being one of the key reasons for disease manifestation, is being targeted for therapy. Various approaches like quorum-sensing interference [10,11], immunotherapy [12], enzymatic removal [13], immunomodulation [14] and inhibition of bacterial growth by antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and certain plant and synthetic compounds [4] are being studied.

This review focuses on AMPs as effective agents for the control of S. epidermidis infections because it has been shown that S. epidermidis biofilm is sensitive to these amphiphilic peptides and can help to protect implants from bacteria and alleviate nosocomial infection [4].

Biofilm is defined as the accumulation and subsequent proliferation of cells in a matrix of extracellular substances to form a highly resistant network of bacteria. These bacteria get attached to the devices and then colonize them, which results in biofilm formation and thus leads to an infection, eventually causing the dysfunction of the device that was implanted. Moreover, these microbes can leave the native site of infection and infect other areas also [2].

Biofilm formation involves four stages: attachment, adhesion, maturation and detachment. In the first stage, the bacteria may get attached to the surface of the abiotic device directly, or the device first becomes coated with biotic material (host-derived proteins) and then bacteria colonize the device [4]. The compounds involved in the attachment process include microbial surface components recognizing the adhesive matrix molecule, surface-associated autolysin AtlE, Embp (extracellular matrix protein-fibronectin binding protein) and teichoic acid [8]. During accumulation, bacteria pile on each other and form multilayered cell clusters forming a widespread network of bacteria. Intercellular adhesion, aggregation and proliferation, further enhanced by the presence of host serum proteins and adsorbed proteins, result in the formation of a mature biofilm [3]. This stage is characterized by the production of proteins such as polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), accumulation-associated protein and Bap homolog protein [9]. The maturation stage is characterized by the generation of slime glycocalyx. Slime exopolysaccharide increases the stability of the biofilm architecture, which increases its resistance. Thus, a mature biofilm consists of the substratum which provides the attachment surface for the main components of the biofilm. The lowermost part of the biofilm, called the conditioning film, is in contact with the substratum and provides nutrients to the rest of the biofilm. The linking film then connects the conditioning film to the main bulk of the biofilm, which also consists of an extracellular polymeric substance that aggregates the cells together in a protective matrix of fluid-filled channels which provide oxygen and nutrients and remove metabolic waste. The mature biofilm can disseminate individual bacterial cells that spread and colonize other suitable sites. The overall detachment stage in biofilm is controlled by the expression of surface-associated adhesins, localized shear stress, a decrease in cell viability and uncontrolled growth patterns. This process is mediated by phenol-soluble modulins and their components such as δ-toxin [4]. The quorum-sensing system plays a vital part in synchronizing gene expression and coordinating functions among bacterial networks. It uses small signaling molecules known as the autoinducers. Two quorum-sensing systems have been identified in S. epidermidis, which are the accessory gene regulator system and the luxS system [1].

Biofilm formation seems to be a major problem in an attempt to eradicate S. epidermidis infections because there are various factors that contribute to biofilm resistance. Biofilms are enclosed in an extrapolymeric matrix that mainly consists of exopolysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids which act as physical barriers and restrict the entry of antimicrobial agents. The chemical environment (such as the pH, cation concentration and pyrimidine concentration) inside the biofilm may get altered, which reduces the activity of antibacterial agents [15]. S. epidermidis, as part of the biofilm, expresses resistance genes that might help them attain a distinct phenotype. Moreover, the presence of persister cells protects the biofilm and contributes to its resistant property to many antimicrobial agents [4].

There is an urgent need to come up with alternative approaches that are effective against bacterial infections. AMPs are highly selective and effective against multidrug-resistant pathogens, which makes them very interesting lead compounds for the development of drugs [16].

AMPs are a large group of compounds which are small-molecular-weight proteins produced by various multicellular organisms from both the vegetal and animal kingdoms [17]. The majority of AMPs have broad-spectrum activity and a net positive charge due to multiple lysine and arginine residues, as well as a large portion (>30% or more) of hydrophobic residues [18]. These are amphiphilic in nature, due to which they form clusters of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues [19]. To date hundreds of such AMPs are known, which are multifunctional as they not only eliminate various pathogenic microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, yeast, viruses and others, but also play a promising role in elements of the innate immunity system [20,21].

AMPs have been elaborated on and classified on the basis of their structures (table 1). The main mechanism of killing of AMPs involves interaction with microbial membranes - its permeabilization - which leads to the outflow of cellular contents and eventually the death of the microbe [25]. Bacterial membranes are negatively charged with lipids that have phospholipid head groups such as phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin, or phosphatidylserine. However, mammalian membranes are made up of zwitterionic phospholipids (neutral in net charge) such as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine or sphingomyelin. This is why cationic peptides can interact with bacterial membranes and aggregate them [26]. Thus, the composition of the membrane plays a major role in the targeting process of the AMPs [18]. This multiple targeting and physical disruption of the target cell membrane make microbes less likely to become resistant to AMPs compared to conventional antimicrobials and thus become promising candidates for the generation of new anti-infective agents [27].

These AMPs may also undergo posttranslational modifications which may include proteolytic processing, and in some cases glycosylation, carboxy-terminal amidation and amino-acid isomerization, and halogenation. This kind of structural modification decreases the susceptibility of the AMP to degradation, thus increasing the stability of the peptide [28]. Cathelicidin proteins have a highly conserved cathelin domain at the N-terminus and can release an AMP from the C-terminal end after proteolytic cleavage. Cathelicidin LL-37, a 37-residue, helical and amphipathic peptide (the only member from humans), has been reported for wide antimicrobial activity [24]. Circular defensin isolated from neutrophils of rhesus monkeys involves complex modification in terms of cyclization of two short peptides. Some peptides are also derived by proteolysis from larger proteins, such as buforin II from histone 2A. The AMPs show great diversity when it comes to the peptide sequence because single mutations can dramatically alter the biological activity of each peptide. The diversity reflects the species adaptation to the unique microbial environments [28].

AMPs are the characteristic features of the innate immunity of mammals, which provide a defense system against microbes by disrupting their cell membrane. Features of some of the natural peptides against S.epidermidis are given in table 2. Hepcidin is a cysteine-rich cationic peptide that is produced in the liver of vertebrates and also in the fat body of the insects. Park et al. [29] identified hepcidin from human urine samples and predicted that it might be a vertebrate counterpart to the cysteine-rich peptides produced in the fat body of insects such as drosophila. Hepcidins isolated from humans are 2-3 kDa and have an overall charge of +3. They are 20-25 amino acids in length, out of which 8 are cysteines and are involved in disulfide linkage due to which they belong to the class of peptides that have a cysteine knot. Moreover, they are not cytotoxic at very high concentrations and show acceptable activity against S. epidermidis. Brancatisano et al. [45] have recently reported the antibiofilm activity of hepcidin 20 on both PIA-positive and PIA-negative strains of S. epidermidis. Hell et al. [46] have shown that human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 can inhibit the biofilm formation as well as the ability of S. epidermidis cells to attach to the surface. Moreover, in a recent study the same group has shown that LL-37 can reduce the expression of biofilm-related genes and decrease the biofilm growth on an in vitro model of a medical device [47].

The AMPs from amphibians, known as temporins, are a class of AMPs formerly isolated from the skin secretions of the European red frog Rana temporaria. The majority of temporins (temporin A, temporin B and temporin-1DRa) disrupt the cell membrane of the target cell mediated by electrostatic interactions. Temporin A has been shown to be active against both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis and has also inhibited its biofilm formation. It was also effective in a micromodel of vascular graft infection. It exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 mg/l and was not toxic to human erythrocytes. Temporin A may act by creating channels or pores or it may trigger the bacterial murine hydrolases, which causes disruption of the peptidoglycan layer leading to lysis of the cell. The in vivo studies conducted by Ghiselli et al. [31] showed that temporin A in combination with vancomycin hydrochloride was able to produce complete bacterial inhibition compared to antibiotic or temporin A alone.

Temporin-1DRa has potent activity against S. epidermidis but it shows cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. Thorough analysis of the alteration of the amino acid residues on antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity was carried out and it was concluded that the change which increased the cationicity improved the antimicrobial potential, and the decrease in hydrophobicity and helicity reduced the hemolytic effect, contributing towards nontoxic peptide [34].

There are some natural peptides that were modified and found to be more effective in combination against S. epidermidis. Royal Jellein I, II and III secreted by the honeybee, Apis mellifera, were modified at the C-terminal to form RJ I-C, II-C and III-C, respectively. These peptides fold and aggregate into the membrane and showed antistaphylococcal activity. A chemically modified analog of temporin (TB-KK) and RJ I-C has been used synergistically and found to be more effective against Gram-positive bacteria than their individual components [32]. These two peptides were isolated from different organisms and have different mechanisms of action: TB-KK possesses a hydrophobic domain and does not accrue onto the membrane, while RJ I-C, with a net positive charge, aggregates at the membrane. These peptides in combination showed maximum antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity while modulating cytokines and nitric oxide production [32].

Other polycationic peptides like ranalexin and buforin II derived from the skin of the American bullfrog and from the stomach tissue of an Asian toad, respectively, have shown broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Synergistic studies [33,36] of ranalexin/buforin with cefazolin were conducted by Giacometti et al. [36] to investigate the effect of polycationic peptides on methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains. The combination of ranalexin or buforin-II with cefazolin treatment proved to be more effective than cefazolin treatment alone against both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant strains. Pseudhymenochirin-1Pb (Ps-1Pb) and pseudhymenochirin-2Pa (Ps-2Pa) are host defense peptides isolated from skin secretions of the frog Pseudhymenochirus merlini and have been reported for their antimicrobial and anticancer activity [44].

The AMPs from plants include two peptides isolated from the garden pea plant, namely S4, a seed peptide, and P8, a pod peptide, which showed broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Both of these peptides have been reported to be temperature, pH and protease sensitive. Both S4 and P8 exhibited antimicrobial activity at 25°C but did not inhibit S. epidermidis activity above this temperature. They have been reported to show a clear zone of approximately 16.6 mm by disc diffusion method [48].

The AMPs from bacteria include epidermicin NI01, which is a peptide produced by S. epidermidis strain 224 and shows a mode of action similar to nisin, thus qualifying as a type IIa bacteriocin (lantibiotic). It is a highly cationic peptide carrying an N-terminal-formylated methionine and exists as a globular α-helical structure. It has shown potent antimicrobial activity against multiple drug-resistant strains and biofilm-forming S. epidermidis strains as the peptide was found to be active even in nanomolar concentrations. Epidermicin NI01 showed high protease stability and was active even at a wide range of pH (2-10) and at a temperature of 80°C for 60 min. The open reading frame encoding the peptide, edcA, has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21, and purified recombinant epidermicin was of 6,074 Da. Epidermicin consists of about 17.6% of lysine residues, which accounts for its strong antimicrobial activity, and has low hemolysis and cytotoxic capability. This peptide showed maximum activity on S. epidermidis MRSA isolates, with an MIC of 2-4 µg/ml. Moreover, it did not show hemolysis at 100× MIC [41].

The sequence of synthetic peptide could be of natural peptide, its derivative or de novo and is synthesized chemically outside the cell. During designing the undesirable sequences of a particular peptide can be removed and altered based on selectable features enhancing the effective therapeutic potential. Some of the synthetic peptides (table 2) are bacterial peptide 2 (BP2), synthetic antimicrobial peptidomimetics (SAMPs), β-peptoid peptide and derivatives of thiazolidinone, compound 2 and compound 5 [49].

BP2 is designed on the basis of the lipopolysaccharide binding domain and the ability of the sequence to form an amphipathic confirmation. Activity of this peptide was analyzed against a murine biomaterial-associated S. epidermidis infection. The results showed that BP2 reduced the survival of S. epidermidis in peri-implant tissues and also showed good stability in vivo [42].

SAMPs (Ltx5, Ltx9, Ltx10 and Kp14) are modified cationic AMPs (700-800 Da) with improved pharmacokinetic properties. All four of these peptides are tripeptides with two arginine residues which render positive charge. The lipophilic part is provided by a modified tryptophan derivative in Ltx5, Ltx9 and Ltx10, and 40-phenyl-phenylalanine in Kp14. Kp14 showed maximum activity against S. epidermidis with an inhibitory concentration of 256 mg/l on the RP62A strain. Ltx5 has the smallest C-terminal modification and Ltx9 has the largest. Ltx5, Ltx9 and Ltx10 effectively eliminated the metabolic activity of S. epidermidis, which was confirmed by complete cell death using confocal laser scanning microscopy, but Kp14 showed poor activity in a biofilm susceptibility assay. Presently, Ltx9 is in the stages of a phase I clinical trial for postoperative open-wound local therapy; thus, Ltx SAMPs are potential candidates for the treatment of S. epidermidis infections [50].

The recognition of the signal and the ability to respond specifically in terms of genetic alterations or behavioral changes are the essence of bacterial survival. The two-component YycG/YycF system originally identified in Bacillus subtilis is highly conserved and specific to Gram-positive bacteria that have a low G+C content, including S. aureus and S. epidermidis. They play an important role in regulating virulence and cell wall metabolism and, being essential for organism growth, serve as a target for inhibition [51]. Two such inhibitors, compounds 2 and 5, derivatives of thiazolidinone, have been designed for the YycG/YycF system. Compound 2 is an YycG histidine kinase inhibitor which has the capability to disrupt the biofilm structure. Compounds 2 and 5 target the histidine kinase YycG domain of S. epidermidis; they have shown bactericidal activity and have also exhibited high activity in a biofilm dispersal assay. These two compounds have been found to be effective against methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis planktonic cells. The activity of compounds 2 and 5 was found to be more efficacious than vancomycin during the early period of exposure. When compound 5 was used along with vancomycin, the antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis was enhanced but the activity of compound 2 remained unaffected in combination with vancomycin [43].

Derivatives of compound 2 were synthesized by modifying the functional groups through cyclization, aldol condensation and substitution and hydrolyzation reactions, and shown to be YycG inhibitors. Further research has been carried out for compound 2 and its derivatives have been designed keeping the thiazolidinone core structure intact, which are more effective and less toxic than compound 2. Although compound 2 and its derivatives have been validated, the derivatives of compound 5 have yet to be researched and the most stable and effective compound still needs to be discovered [39]. Their mechanism of killing is different as they may translocate across the membrane, build up inside a bacterial cell and interfere with the essential intracellular processes, such as the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, the translation, replication and activity of several enzymes, and the inhibition of cell wall synthesis, and eventually mediate bacterial cell death [23].

Of compounds 2 and 5, compound 2 showed higher bactericidal activity of about 100 µM against the RP62A strain. Moreover, mammalian cells do not have genes homologous to YycG/YycF, so these derivatives are not cytotoxic to mammalian cells. However, Gram-positive bacteria have a highly conserved YycG/YycF two-component system, which makes these anti-YycG compounds highly effective [52].

The increasing trends of antibiotic-resistant pathogens have long been recognized as a significant clinical problem, and intensive research effort has been devoted to the development of alternative antimicrobial compounds. S. epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen and is the leading cause of chronic or recurrent infections related to the nosocomial or implanted medical devices. AMPs are a unique and diverse group of molecules which are characterized into different subgroups on the basis of their different amino acid composition and structure. They are found among all classes of life and represent an important evolutionary component of innate immune response. These peptides have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and demonstrate potential as novel therapeutic agents.

Natural peptides, their derivatives and de novo-designed AMPs have been reported for their antimicrobial as well as antibiofilm activity against S. epidermidis. The mode of action of these peptides may vary and can target bacterial cell membranes by lipid bilayer disruption, interfere with the nucleic acids of the targeted cell or act on the specific YycG/YycF system.

The action of cationic peptides, such as hepcidin and epidermicin, is highly specific for bacterial killing and has not shown any pronounced cytotoxicity on mammalian cells. The synthetic peptides have been designed to include a diverse range of targets showing bactericidal and antibiofilm activity at very low concentrations. Ltx9 is in a phase I clinical trial as a possible candidate against S. epidermidis infections. The combination of natural and synthetic peptides with antibiotics has reduced its MIC and lowered the chances for the development of resistant strains.

New advances in technology have directed endeavors towards deciphering the mechanism of action, improving the efficacy and reducing cytotoxicity. However, further efforts are required to address the problems related to bioavailability and large-scale production.

We are grateful to the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, India, for providing the essential infrastructure facility.