Antimicrobial peptides CATH‐2 and LL‐37 produce no protective effect after intratracheal co‐administration with LPS in vivo
Authors: Banaschewski Brandon John Harrison , Decuzzi Julianna , Veldhuizen Edwin , Haagsman Henk , Yamashita Cory , Veldhuizen Ruud 
Published: November 2023

Background

The host inflammatory response produced in bacterial pneumonia is a major contributing factor of the pathophysiologic processes observed in a respiratory infection. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been shown to possess potent broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity as well as immunomodulatory properties. As a potential therapy for bacterial pneumonia, we have previously investigated the anti‐bacterial properties of AMPs in the presence of a pulmonary delivery agent, exogenous surfactant. To further explore the properties of these compounds, the current study evaluates the effects of AMPs with and without exogenous surfactant on pulmonary inflammation in vivo.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of two cathelicidin peptides, CATH‐2 and LL‐37 and the exogenous surfactant/cathelicidin mixture BLES+CATH‐2, to reduce the inflammatory response produced upon LPS stimulation in vivo.

Hypothesis

Intrapulmonary administration of AMPs, with and without exogenous surfactant, will reduce lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation.

Methods

Two cathelicidin peptides, CATH‐2 and LL‐37, were used in this study. CATH‐2 was also administered in combination with bovine lipid‐extract surfactant (BLES), as previous studies have shown bactericidal activity and enhanced biophysical function of this combination in vitro. C57Bl/6 mice were anesthetized, intubated, and intratracheally instilled 2 mg/kg of LPS. Five minutes later, mice were intratracheally instilled with 50μL one of the following treatments: Sham (no LPS), Air, Saline, BLES (20 mg phospholipid/kg BW), CATH‐2 (100 μM), LL‐37 (100 μM), or BLES+CATH‐2. The mice were monitored for six hours, and were then euthanized. A FlexiVent was used to measure lung compliance, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected in order to determine cell counts, cell differentials, protein content and inflammatory cytokine concentrations.

Results

Animals that were administered LPS showed a significant increase in neutrophil recruitment and lavage IL‐6 content compared to sham control. Animals treated with CATH‐2 and LL‐37 showed a significant decrease in lung compliance compared to all other treatment groups, as well as an increase in lavage protein and IL‐6 content obtained from the BAL fluid. There was no significant difference among treatment groups with respect to total cells found in the BAL fluid, or percentage of neutrophils recovered between treatment groups.

Discussion

The results from this experiment did not support our initial hypothesis, as CATH‐2 and LL‐37 did not reduce the inflammatory response elicited by LPS challenge, but instead produced an exacerbated inflammatory response as well as decreased lung function, as observed through a decrease in lung compliance. It is possible that at the doses utilized, the cytotoxic effects of cathelicidins contributed to the inflammatory responses observed. The addition of exogenous surfactant BLES mitigated the deleterious effects of CATH‐2 administration; however it did not affect the markers of inflammation compared to controls.

Support or Funding Information

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Program of Experimental Medicine

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation