AUTHOR=Hansen Bjoern-Thore , Maschkowitz Gregor , Podschun Rainer , Fickenscher Helmut 

TITLE=The Kinocidin Interleukin-26 Shows Immediate Antimicrobial Effects Even to Multi-resistant Isolates

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.757215

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2021.757215

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>The cationic proinflammatory cytokine Interleukin 26 (IL-26) shows antibacterial activity and inhibits the replication of cytomegalovirus and hepatitis C virus. This study evaluates the early microbicidal activities of IL-26 against major bacterial species including multi-resistant variants and <italic>Candida albicans</italic>. Recombinant IL-26 was bacterially expressed and studied for its microbicidal effects in culture. We show that IL-26 has strong 90% bactericidal activities against <italic>Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus</italic>, and <italic>Acinetobacter baumannii</italic>. Similarly, IL-26 sensitivity was also detectable in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species, methicillin-resistant <italic>S. aureus</italic>, and carbapenem-resistant <italic>A. baumannii</italic> clinical isolates. Additionally, a significant, albeit weak fungicidal effect against <italic>Candida albicans</italic> was observed. Activities against <italic>Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae</italic>, and <italic>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</italic> were not detectable. The proinflammatory cytokine and kinocidin IL-26 shows strong bactericidal activities against <italic>A. baumannii</italic> and, almost selectively, against Gram-positive bacteria.</p>