Ultrashort Antimicrobial Peptides with Antiendotoxin Properties

Abstract

ABSTRACTRelease of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (endotoxin) from bacteria into the bloodstream may cause serious unwanted stimulation of the host immune system. Some but not all antimicrobial peptides can neutralize LPS-stimulated proinflammatory responses. Salt resistance and serum stability of short antimicrobial peptides can be boosted by adding β-naphthylalanine to their termini. Herein, significant antiendotoxin effects were observedin vitroandin vivowith the β-naphthylalanine end-tagged variants of the short antimicrobial peptides S1 and KWWK.