Histatin and lactoferrin derived peptides: antimicrobial properties and effects on mammalian cells

In order to analyze the clinical potential of two antimicrobial peptides, human lactoferrin 1-11 (hLF1-11) and synthetic histatin analogue Dhvar-5, we measured the killing effect on bacteria, and the potential toxicity on erythrocytes and bone cells. The antimicrobial activity was determined in a killing assay on six strains, including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. The effect on human erythrocytes and MC3T3 mouse bone cells was measured with a hemolysis assay and a viability assay, respectively. Both hLF1-11 and Dhvar-5 dose-dependently killed all bacterial strains, starting at concentrations of 6 μg/mL. hLF1-11 had no effect on mammalian cells at concentrations up to 400 μg/mL, but Dhvar-5 induced significant hemolysis (37% at 200 μg/mL) and bone cell death (70% at 400 μg/mL). This indicates that both peptides are able to kill various resistant and non-resistant bacteria, but Dhvar-5 may exert a cytotoxic effect on host cells at higher concentrations.