Targeting Multidrug Resistance With Antimicrobial Peptide-Decorated Nanoparticles and Polymers

As a category of small peptides frequently found in nature, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) constitute a major part of the innate immune system of various organisms. Antimicrobial peptides feature various inhibitory effects against fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Due to the increasing concerns of antibiotic resistance among microorganisms, development of antimicrobial peptides is an emerging tool as a favorable applicability prospect in food, medicine, aquaculture, animal husbandry, and agriculture. This review presents the latest research progress made in the field of antimicrobial peptides, such as their mechanism of action, classification, application status, design techniques, and a review on decoration of nanoparticles and polymers with AMPs that are used in treating multidrug resistance. Lastly, we will highlight recent progress in antiviral peptides to treat emerging viral diseases (e.g., anti-coronavirus peptides) and discuss the outlook of AMP applications.

Automated summary

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a category of small peptides commonly found in nature, and they play a major role in the innate immune system of various organisms by inhibiting fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. With the increasing concern over antibiotic resistance, AMPs hold great potential for applications in areas such as food, medicine, aquaculture, animal husbandry, and agriculture. This review provides an overview of the latest research progress in AMPs, including their mechanism of action, classification, application status, design techniques, as well as the use of AMPs in treating multidrug resistance by decorating nanoparticles and polymers. It also highlights recent advancements in antiviral peptides for treating emerging viral diseases, such as anti-coronavirus peptides, and discusses the future outlook of AMP applications.