A pro-healing short-chain antimicrobial peptide that inhibits sepsis

Chronic wounds experiencing infections with multidrug-resistant bacteria can be fatal, and in severe cases can lead to sepsis. Antimicrobial peptides are widely used in the field of wound care for their broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and good anti-drug resistance. We prepared bacterial cell membrane chromatography (BCMC) by extracting cell membranes of bacteria using SiO₂ microspheres as stationary phase. A library of antimicrobial peptides was synthesized in solid phase and screened by BCMC to identify the antimicrobial peptide LKAHR (later named LS5), which is characterized by biosafety, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and drug resistance, and a gelatin-based antimicrobial hydrogel (LS5-gel) was prepared to be better applied to wounds. LS5-gel was found to have good in vivo bactericidal properties as well as the ability to promote wound healing in a wound healing model. In the sepsis model, LS5 was found to have a significant inhibitory effect on sepsis infection. It is important for the selection of next-generation antimicrobial drugs and the treatment of chronic wound healing.