LL37

LL-37 is a cationic, amphipathic antimicrobial peptide derived from the cathelicidin family, with a 37-amino acid sequence encoded by the hCAP18 precursor. It exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses, by disrupting microbial membrane integrity and inducing intracellular perturbations. LL-37 engages immune modulatory pathways through interaction with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1), resulting in the regulation of inflammatory cytokine release and chemotaxis in non-human test subjects. Additionally, it enhances angiogenesis and epithelial cell migration, contributing to wound repair processes. The peptide also plays a role in modulating the immune response in animal test subjects by neutralizing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), thus attenuating endotoxin-induced inflammatory pathways.

Research on LL-37 further reveals its bifunctional role in oncological contexts, where it may exert both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting effects, contingent upon the surrounding microenvironment. Due to its multifaceted biological activities, LL-37 is of significant interest in preclinical studies aimed at investigating its potential therapeutic applications in combating microbial resistance and modulating inflammatory responses in non-human test subjects.