
Can nanoparticles kill bacteria?
Many infection-causing bacteria have developed a strong resistance against commercial available antibiotics and there is a great need for novel innovative treatments. In a sub-project of FORMAMP, antimicrobial peptides were loaded into lipid nanoparticles for protection and delivery of these sensitive bio-molecules.
Aim
In this project the use of lipid nanoparticles were investigated for delivery and protection of antimicrobial peptides.
Challenge
Due to decades of exposing pathogenic bacteria to non-lethal doses of antibiotics, they have developed a strong resistance against these drug molecules. There is a great need for new and efficient antibacterial drugs and the need will most likely increase in the future.
Solution
The bacterial killing efficiency of the peptide loaded nanoparticles were investigated using in vitro and ex vivo models, as well as the bacterial killing mechanism. Results showed that the nanostructure of the particles strongly affected their bacterial killing efficiency. Particles with a cubic nanostructure (“cubosomes”) were found to be most effective. They protected a protease sensitive antimicrobial peptide (LL-37) from enzymatic degradation, resulting in a significant improved bacterial killing after enzyme exposure, compared to pure peptide.
Effect
A new drug delivery system were designed for antimicrobial peptides, made of lipid nanoparticles, which protected them from enzymatic degradation, resulting in more efficient killing of pathogenic bacteria.
Summary
Project name
FORMAMP
Status
Completed
RISE role in project
Project participant and project coordination
Project start
Duration
5 yrs
Partner
RISE, Lunds University, Uppsala University, ProMore Pharma, Adenium Biotech, University of Angers, Polypeptide Laboratories, Chalmers University of Technology
Funders
Project website
FORMAMP-Innovativ Nanoformulering av Antimikrobiella Peptider
Coordinators
Project members
Josefin Caous Camilla Björn Anna Fureby Jenny Johansson Therese Andersson