Poly(lactide-<i>co</i>-glycolide) Nanoparticles for Prolonged Therapeutic Efficacy of Esculentin-1a-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Lung Infection: in Vitro and in Vivo Studies

Due to their excellent in vitro activity against multidrug resistant bacteria, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promise for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) sufferers. In this work, poly(lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles for lung delivery of AMPs deriving from the frog-skin esculentin-1a, namely, Esc(1-21) and Esc(1-21)-1c (Esc peptides), were successfully developed. Improved peptide transport through artificial CF mucus and simulated bacterial extracellular matrix was achieved in vitro. The formulations were effectively delivered through a liquid jet nebulizer already available to patients. Notably, Esc peptide-loaded nanoparticles displayed an improved efficacy in inhibiting P. aeruginosa growth in vitro and in vivo in the long term. A single intratracheal administration of Esc peptide-loaded nanoparticles in a mouse model of P. aeruginosa lung infection resulted in a 3-log reduction of pulmonary bacterial burden up to 36 h. Overall, results unravel the potential of PLGA nanoparticles as a reliable delivery system of AMPs to lungs.