Antimicrobial peptide Hs02 with rapid bactericidal, anti-biofilm, and anti-inflammatory activity against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli

Abstract

Eukaryotic antimicrobial peptides are typically amphipathic peptides consisting of approximately 50 amino acids. Many macromolecular proteins in our body contain polypeptide sequences that show characteristics similar to those of antimicrobial peptides. The present research highlights a gap in the current literature regarding the mechanisms by which the intragenic antimicrobial peptide Hs02, derived from human proteins, exerts its rapid bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects. The findings demonstrate that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key target of Hs02’s antimicrobial activity and that its ability to neutralize LPS is crucial for its anti-inflammatory effects.