Tribolium castaneum defensin 1 kills Moraxella catarrhalisin an in vitro infection model but does not harm commensal bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Moraxella catarrhalis is a bacterial pathogen that causes respiratory tract infections in humans. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant M. catarrhalis strains has created a demand for alternative treatment options. We therefore tested 23 insect antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for their activity against M. catarrhalis in a human in vitro infection model with primary macrophages, and against commensal bacteria. Effects on bacterial growth were determined by colony counting and growth curve analysis. The inflammatory macrophage response was characterized by qPCR and multiplex ELISA. Eleven of the AMPs were active against M. catarrhalis. Defensin 1 from the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum significantly inhibited bacterial growth and redu

SUBMITTER: Bertrams W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8043168 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature