Translating bacteriophage-derived depolymerases into antibacterial therapeutics: Challenges and prospects

• Published in: Acta pharmaceutica Sinica. B Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 155 - 169
• Main Authors: Wang, Honglan, Liu, Yannan, Bai, Changqing, Leung, Sharon Shui Yee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antibacterial therapy; Antibiotic resistance; Antimicrobial adjuvants; Bacterial capsules; Bacteriophage proteins; Biofilms; Combination treatment; Phage-derived polysaccharide depolymerases; Polysaccharide capsules; Review; Combination treatment; Biofilms; Antibiotic resistance; Antimicrobial adjuvants; Bacteriophage proteins; Phage-derived polysaccharide depolymerases; Antibacterial therapy; Polysaccharide capsules; Bacterial capsules
• ISSN: 2211-3835; 2211-3843
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.08.017

Predatory bacteriophages have evolved a vast array of depolymerases for bacteria capture and deprotection. These depolymerases are enzymes responsible for degrading diverse bacterial surface carbohydrates. They are exploited as antibiofilm agents and antimicrobial adjuvants while rarely inducing bacterial resistance, making them an invaluable asset in the era of antibiotic resistance. Numerous depolymerases have been investigated preclinically, with evidence indicating that depolymerases with appropriate dose regimens can safely and effectively combat different multidrug-resistant pathogens in animal infection models. Additionally, some formulation approaches have been developed for improved stability and activity of depolymerases. However, depolymerase formulation is limited to liquid dosage form and remains in its infancy, posing a significant hurdle to their clinical translation, compounded by challenges in their applicability and manufacturing. Future development must address these obstacles for clinical utility. Here, after unravelling the history, diversity, and therapeutic use of depolymerases, we summarized the preclinical efficacy and existing formulation findings of recombinant depolymerases. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of depolymerases as therapeutics for humans were assessed to provide insights for their further development. Phage-derived polysaccharide depolymerases are useful as antibiofilm agents and antimicrobial adjuvants. Their preclinical efficacy was reviewed, and their challenges and prospects for clinical translation were discussed. [Display omitted]