A synthesized cationic tetradecapeptide from hornet venom kills bacteria and neutralizes lipopolysaccharide in vivo and in vitro

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome that results from a harmful host response to infection, in which foreign bacteria and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are potent activators of different immune cells, including monocytes and macrophages. To date, there are currently few effective adjuvant therapies in clinical use except activated protein C focusing on the coagulation system. Mastoparans (MPs) are wasp venom cationic amphiphilic tetradecapeptides; these are capable of modulating various cellular activities, including stimulation of GTP-binding protein, phospholipase C and can bind to a phospholipid bilayer. Masroparan-1 (MP-1, INLKAIAALAKKLL-NH2), a tetradecapeptide toxin isolated from hornet venom, was synthesized chemically. In this study, Escherichia coli 25922 (E. coli 25922) and LPS were used to induce sepsis in an animal model. We found that MP-1 treatment at 3 mg/kg protected mice from otherwise lethal bacteria and LPS challenges. MP-1 has antibacterial capabilities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Its antibacterial action against E. coli may result from the destruction of bacterial membrane structures. In addition, treatment of murine peritoneal macrophages with MP-1 potently inhibited the respiratory burst. This effect maybe related to an inhibition of NADPH oxidase in the membrane. Furthermore, MP-1, bound with high-affinity to LPS and lipid A with dissociation equilibrium constants of 484 and 456 nM, respectively, and neutralized LPS in a dose-dependent manner. MP-1 also significantly reduced the expression of TLR4, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and the release of cytokines in LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages. Our results shows that the MP-1-mediated protection of mice from lethal challenge by live bacteria and LPS was associated with its bactericidal action and inhibition of inflammatory responses by macrophages to both bacteria and LPS (the release of cytokines and reactive oxygen species).