Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial peptides

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) or host defense peptides (HDPs) are vital components of human innate defense system targeting human-related bacteria. Many bacteria have various mechanisms interfering with AMP activity, causing resistance to AMPs. Since AMPs are considered as potential novel antimicrobial drugs, understanding the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to direct killing of AMPs is of great significance. In this review, a comparative overview of bacterial strategies for resistance to direct killing of various AMPs is presented. Such strategies include bacterial cell envelope modification, AMP degradation, sequestration, expelling, and capsule.