Antibacterial activity of a Tribolium castaneum defensin in an in vitro infection model of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Increasing rates of antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae strains impair therapy and necessitate alternative treatment options. In this study, we analysed insect-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for antibacterial effects on S. pneumoniae in a human in vitro infection model.AMP effects on bacterial growth were examined by colony forming unit (CFU)-assays, and growth curve measurements. Furthermore, cytotoxicity to primary human macrophages was detected by measuring lactate-dehydrogenase release to the supernatant. One AMP (Defensin 1) was tested in a model of primary human monocyte-derived macrophages infected with S. pneumoniae strain D39

SUBMITTER: Lindhauer NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6844301 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature