Nonclassical antagonism between human lysozyme and AMPs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Combinations of human lysozyme (hLYS) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are known to exhibit either additive or synergistic activity, and as a result, they have therapeutic potential for persistent and antibiotic‐resistant infections. We examined hLYS activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa when com...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ian Blumenthal, Lydia R. Davis, Chet M. Berman, Karl E. Griswold
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-03-01
Series:FEBS Open Bio
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13094
Description
Summary:Combinations of human lysozyme (hLYS) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are known to exhibit either additive or synergistic activity, and as a result, they have therapeutic potential for persistent and antibiotic‐resistant infections. We examined hLYS activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa when combined with six different AMPs. In contrast to prior reports, we discovered that some therapeutically relevant AMPs manifest striking antagonistic interactions with hLYS across particular concentration ranges. We further found that the synthetic AMP Tet009 can inhibit hLYS‐mediated bacterial lysis. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the first observations of antagonism between hLYS and AMPs, and they advise that future development of lytic enzyme and AMP combination therapies considers the potential for antagonistic interactions.
ISSN:2211-5463