Antimicrobial peptides delivery for skin regeneration

Skin lesions are a significant problem worldwide and cause difficulties in affected patients. Various reasons are behind skin wounds that burns, pressures, diabetes and surgery are among them. These wounds, especially chronic ones are susceptible to infections which can worsen the problem and postpone healing. Antibiotics prescription is the common therapy for ameliorating the situation. In the case of highly infected wounds, debridement is performed in the first place to reduce the bacterial load. Since antibiotic resistance is a major problem Nowadays and because of related shortcomings using antibiotics, scientists are exploring new ways to combat infection. Development of cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMP) which are naturally produced by innate immune system is among new innovative approaches. The mechanism of action is mostly based on the ionic interaction of peptides with bacterial membrane, which disrupts membrane and causes bacterial death. Due to this mechanism, it is believed that resistance to CAMPs can rarely occur. As a result, several CAMPs are under investigation to enter the market as antibacterial agents. Two major groups of these peptides known as cathelicidins and defensins are produced in human body. Expression level of Some antimicrobial peptides, like LL-37, are elevated during wounding. However, in chronic wounds they are reduced and healing postponed. It’s worth mentioning that some CAMPs have other effects beside antimicrobial properties that help the healing process. For example, they trigger keratinocyte migration and angiogenesis which are important factors in healing. So, we speculate that delivery of CAMPs by means of nanoparticles and hydrogels can accelerate wound healing and help to overcome antibiotic resistance.

Keywords:

Wound healing , Drug delivery , LL-37