Antimicrobial Peptides as Therapeutic Tools for Intracellular Infections
Authors: M Firudin kizi Amirova 
Published: January 2025

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) selectively recognize and destroy microorganisms and, unlike conventional antibiotics, have
a unique advantage in terms of harmlessness to host cells. AMPs are characterized by cationic properties and amphiphilicity,
which facilitates their interaction with microbial membranes. The crucial role of AMPs in resolving infections is based on
two main mechanisms: direct destruction of pathogens and immune modulation. AMPs expand their therapeutic potential
through adaptive immunity. Finally, by enhancing both innate and adaptive immunity, AMPs facilitate pathogen elimination
through destroy microbial membranes, lysis of foreign cells via promoting the activation of T- and B-lymphocytes, neutrophils
and macrophages stimulation. Due to their diverse modes of action/multitasking, AMPs demonstrate a reduced likelihood of
developing resistance to them. Since the most difficult infections to treat are intracellular bacterial infections, where antibiotics
are virtually ineffective, AMPs are becoming a promising alternative for treatment. In summary, one and the same AMP can
express itself in multiple structural and functional forms, which increases their adaptability and effectiveness against various
microbial attacks.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential components of immune system, capable of selectively recognizing and
eliminating microorganisms that inhabit the host body. Unlike conventional antibiotics, AMPs offer a unique advantage in
targeting pathogens without causing harm to host cells. These short peptides, typically ranging from 12 to 50 amino acids, are
characterized by their cationic properties due to an abundance of positively charged amino acids. This enables them to exhibit
amphiphilic behavior, with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions that facilitate interactions with microbial membranes.
AMPs are critical not only for their bactericidal properties but also for their ability to modulate immune responses, thus
enhancing both innate and adaptive immunity. AMPs play a pivotal role in the resolution of infections through two primary
mechanisms: direct pathogen killing and immune modulation. They accomplish the former by disrupting microbial membranes,
leading to cell lysis, while the latter involves the stimulation of immune cells such as neutrophils and macrophages, which
amplify inflammation and accelerate pathogen clearance. Recent studies have revealed that AMPs also influence adaptive
immunity, facilitating the activation of T and B-lymphocytes, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential. Importantly, AMPs
exhibit a reduced likelihood of resistance development due to their diverse and simultaneous modes of action. One of the most
challenging infections to treat is intracellular bacterial infections, where pathogens replicate within host cells. Antibiotics
often fail in these cases due to their limited ability to penetrate host cells and the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, which
prevents the therapeutic concentrations of antibiotics from reaching effective levels within the infected cells. Consequently,
these infections can persist and become chronic, evading standard antibiotic treatment. In contrast, AMPs are emerging as
a promising alternative for managing intracellular infections. In summary, the same AMP can exhibit multiple structural
and functional properties, demonstrating a high degree of versatility. These overlapping characteristics often enhance their
adaptability and efficacy against diverse microbial threats.