Bacteriocins in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections

Wound treatment, and particularly non-healing wounds, is problematic within the healthcare system, which causes pain and anxiety, and is associated with persistent bacterial infections. The costs for managing and treating wounds are expected to increase significantly because of an aging population and the emergence and spreading of antibiotic resistant bacteria. New treatment options for chronic wound infections are thus urgently needed.

Bacteriocins are attractive candidates for prevention and treatment of chronic infections due to high potency, low risk of resistance development, and beneficial effects on tissues. We have shown that specific bacteriocins, e.g. plantaricins such as PLNC8 αβ, most potently inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of several pathogens, including the periodontal key bacterium P. gingivalis and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Most interestingly, we have found that different plantaricins markedly enhance the efficacy of different types of antibiotics. This synergistic effect is most important since it reduces the risk of development of antibiotic resistance. The main objective of this project is to develop new antibacterial compounds based on bacteriocins against acute and chronic infection.

In a multidisciplinary project, HEALiX, in collaboration with researchers at Linköping and Luleå University that is financed by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF), we are aiming to develop a new generation of advanced multifunctional wound dressing materials. This will give clinicians new and better means to focus on wound healing rather than wound management. More specifically the objective of HEALiX is to develop innovative wound dressing materials associated with antibacterial peptides that provide optimal conditions to combat wound infections and support wound healing.

Articles

• Wiman E, Elisa Z, Aili D, Bengtsson T, Selegård R, Khalaf H. (2023). Development of novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial lipopeptides derived from Plantaricin NC8 β. Sci. Rep. 13:4104.
• Musa A, Wiman E, Selegård R, Aili D, Bengtsson T, Khalaf H. (2021). Plantaricin NC8 αβ prevents Staphylococcus aureus-mediated cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses of human keratinocytes. Sci. Rep. 11:12514.
• Bengtsson T, Selegård R, Musa A, Hultenby K, Utterström J, Sivlér P, Skog M, Nayeri F, Hellmark B, Söderquist B, Aili D, Khalaf H. (2020). Plantaricin NC8 αβ exerts potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus spp. and enhances the effects of antibiotics. Sci. Rep. 10:3580.
• Selegård R, Musa A, Nyström P, Aili D, Bengtsson T, Khalaf H. (2019). Plantaricins markedly enhance the effects of traditional antibiotics against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Future Microbiol. 14:195-205.
• Bengtsson T, Zhang B, Selegård R, Wiman E, Aili D, Khalaf H. (2017). Dual action of bacteriocin PLNC8 through inhibition of Porphyromonas gingivalis infection and promotion of cell proliferation. Pathog Dis. 75:ftx064.
• Khalaf H, Sowdamini Nakka S, Sandén C, Hultenby K, Scherbak N, Aili D, Bengtsson T. (2016). Antibacterial effects of Lactobacillus and bacteriocin PLNC8 αβ on the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. BMC Microbiol. 16:188.