International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Dear Colleagues,

Biofilms are adhesive macrostructures build by various microorganisms together with produced by them extracellular matrix. The high adaptability of the biofilm and its feature of being an excellent physical barrier are associated with the resistance of microorganisms arranged in it to classical treatment regimens. Studies on classic antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics and disinfectants indicate that microorganisms enclosed in a biofilm are 10 to 1000 times more resistant to their action compared to planktonic form of the same microorganism. This poses a challenge to conventionally used antimicrobials and indicates the need for developing new therapies. Newly developed strategies to combat biofilms on one hand should effectively break the biofilm barrier, on the other, overcome gradually increasing resistance mechanisms, by interfering with new molecular targets.

In this issue, we would like to take up the topic of natural origin substances, which can provide therapy targeted on treatment of biofilm related diseases by interfering with biofilm formation on all stages of this process. The topic of interest includes, but is not limited to: antimicrobial peptides, enzymes, natural-origin small molecules as well as biologically active nanomaterials.

Dr. Wirginia Krzyściak
Prof. Dr. Elżbieta Pamuła
Guest Editors

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Keywords

biofilms
biomolecules
antimicrobial peptides
small molecules
antimicrobial enzymes
bionanomaterials

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modified Lactoperoxidase System as a Promising Anticaries Agent: In Vitro Studies on Streptococcus mutans Biofilms

by Marcin Magacz, Sergio Alatorre-Santamaría, Karolina Kędziora, Kacper Klasa, Paweł Mamica, Wiktoria Pepasińska, Magdalena Lebiecka, Dorota Kościelniak, Elżbieta Pamuła and Wirginia Krzyściak

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(15), 12136; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512136 - 28 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1459

Abstract

The lactoperoxidase (LPO) system shows promise in the prevention of dental caries, a common chronic disease. This system has antimicrobial properties and is part of the non-specific antimicrobial immune system. Understanding the efficacy of the LPO system in the fight against biofilms could provide information on alternative strategies for the prevention and treatment of caries. In this study, the enzymatic system was modified using four different (pseudo)halide substrates (thiocyanate, thiocyanate-iodide mixture, selenocyanate, and iodide). The study evaluated the metabolic effects of applying such modifications to Streptococcus mutans; in particular: (1) biofilm formation, (2) synthesis of insoluble polysaccharides, (3) lactate synthesis, (4) glucose and sucrose consumption, (5) intracellular NAD⁺ and NADH concentrations, and (6) transmembrane glucose transport efficiency (PTS activity). The results showed that the LPO–iodide system had the strongest inhibitory effect on biofilm growth and lactate synthesis (complete inhibition). This was associated with an increase in the NAD⁺/NADH ratio and an inhibition of glucose PTS activity. The LPO–selenocyanate system showed a moderate inhibitory effect on biofilm biomass growth and lactate synthesis. The other systems showed relatively small inhibition of lactate synthesis and glucose PTS but no effect on the growth of biofilm biomass. This study provides a basis for further research on the use of alternative substrates with the LPO system, particularly the LPO–iodide system, in the prevention and control of biofilm-related diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomolecules in the Treatment of Biofilm-Related Diseases)

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14 pages, 2972 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Cm-p5 Peptide Dimers Inhibit Biofilms of Candida albicans Clinical Isolates, C. parapsilosis and Fluconazole-Resistant Mutants of C. auris

by Valerie Amann, Ann-Kathrin Kissmann, Vanessa Mildenberger, Imke Krebs, Julio A. Perez-Erviti, Ernesto M. Martell-Huguet, Anselmo J. Otero-Gonzalez, Fidel Morales-Vicente, Gina P. Rodríguez-Castaño, Carolina Firacative, Armando Rodríguez, Ludger Ständker, Tanja Weil, Barbara Spellerberg, Steffen Stenger and Frank Rosenau

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 9788; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24129788 - 06 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1363

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a promising class of therapeutic biomolecules that show antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microorganisms, including life-threatening pathogens. In contrast to classic AMPs with membrane-disrupting activities, new peptides with a specific anti-biofilm effect are gaining in importance since biofilms could be the most important way of life, especially for pathogens, as the interaction with host tissues is crucial for the full development of their virulence in the event of infection. Therefore, in a previous study, two synthetic dimeric derivatives (parallel Dimer 1 and antiparallel Dimer 2) of the AMP Cm-p5 showed specific inhibition of the formation of Candida auris biofilms. Here we show that these derivatives are also dose-dependently effective against de novo biofilms that are formed by the widespread pathogenic yeasts C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. Moreover, the activity of the peptides was demonstrated even against two fluconazole-resistant strains of C. auris. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomolecules in the Treatment of Biofilm-Related Diseases)

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