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Bioactive Molecules in Infection and Toxicity: Antimicrobial Peptides and Drug-Induced Damage in Disease Models

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1906

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Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, 10123 Torin, Italy
Interests: cytochromes P450; CYP; malaria; lipid peroxidation; HETE; 4-hydroxynonenal; 4-HNE; hemozoin; monocytes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Infectious diseases remain major global health challenges. Drug-induced toxicity also poses significant risks, demanding ongoing research and innovative solutions. These issues drive the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies and deeper mechanistic insights. This Special Issue brings together cutting-edge research focused on two key areas: the role of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in fighting infections, and the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced damage—including AMP-related toxicity—in experimental disease models.

AMPs, naturally occurring defense molecules, offer promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics, especially in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance. Their multifunctional properties—ranging from direct microbial killing to immunomodulatory and antitumor effects—make them strong candidates for next-generation anti-infective therapies. At the same time, understanding how drugs, particularly AMPs, interact with biological systems to cause toxicity is essential for improving safety and efficacy. Novel formulations or delivery systems may help reduce unwanted side effects.

By exploring cellular responses, signaling pathways, and biomarkers of damage, this Special Issue aims to clarify which bioactive molecules—and through which mechanisms—affect both infection outcomes and toxicological profiles. Together, the contributions will offer a comprehensive view of how molecular interventions can be leveraged to mitigate disease and enhance therapeutic precision.

Prof. Dr. Oleksii Skorokhod
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)
  • infectious diseases
  • drug-induced toxicity
  • disease models
  • therapeutic strategies
  • drug delivery systems

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

25 pages, 5018 KB  
Review
Antimicrobial Activity Versus Virulence Potential of Hyaluronic Acid: Balancing Advantages and Disadvantages
by Kamila Korzekwa, Kamil Sobolewski, Miriam Wiciejowska and Daria Augustyniak
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11549; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311549 - 28 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1697
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a ubiquitous glycosaminoglycan essential for maintaining tissue hydration, structural integrity, and immunological homeostasis in vertebrates. Although traditionally regarded as a host-derived molecule, HA is also produced by a range of microorganisms, most notably Streptococcus spp., through specialized hyaluronan synthases [...] Read more.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a ubiquitous glycosaminoglycan essential for maintaining tissue hydration, structural integrity, and immunological homeostasis in vertebrates. Although traditionally regarded as a host-derived molecule, HA is also produced by a range of microorganisms, most notably Streptococcus spp., through specialized hyaluronan synthases (HAS). Microbial HA and host-derived HA fragments play key roles not only in tissue physiology but also in infection biology, influencing microbial virulence, biofilm formation, and immune evasion. In bacteria, HA-rich capsules promote adhesion, shield pathogens from complement-mediated opsonization and phagocytosis, and facilitate dissemination through host tissues. Conversely, HA-degrading enzymes and reactive oxygen species generate low-molecular-weight HA fragments that amplify inflammation by activating—toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling, contributing to chronic inflammatory states. Furthermore, microbial HA modulates biofilm organization in both bacterial and fungal pathogens, enhancing persistence and antimicrobial tolerance. Clinically, widespread use of HA-based dermal fillers has generated increasing concern over delayed biofilm-associated infections, diagnostic challenges, and complications arising from microbial contamination and host–microbe interactions. Recent advances in HA engineering, including anti-microbial HA conjugates and receptor-targeted biomaterials, offer promising strategies to mitigate infection risk while expanding therapeutic applications. This review synthesizes current knowledge on HA biosynthesis across biological kingdoms, its dualistic role in health and disease, and its emerging relevance at the interface of microbiology, immunology, and biomedical applications. Full article
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