Outer Membrane Vesicles Protect Gram-Negative Bacteria against Host Defense Peptides
Melanie D. Balhuizen, Albert van Dijk, Jeroen W. A. Jansen, Chris H.A. van de Lest, Edwin J.A. Veldhuizen, Henk P. Haagsman
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a pressing problem and estimated to be a leading cause of mortality by 2050. Antimicrobial peptides, also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), and HDP-derived antimicrobials have potent antimicrobial activity and high potential as alternatives to antibiotics due to low resistance development. Some resistance mechanisms have developed in bacteria, and complete understanding of bacterial defense against HDPs will aid their use in the clinic. This study provides insight into outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) as potential defense mechanisms against HDPs, which will allow anticipation of unforeseen resistance to HDPs in clinical use and possibly prevention of bacterial resistance by the means of OMVs.