Epithelial antimicrobial peptides in host defense against infection.
Bals. R R
Key Findings
- LL‑37 is produced by neutrophils, respiratory epithelium, and alveolar macrophages and released into airway fluids
- Beyond killing microbes, LL‑37 influences inflammation, cell growth, wound repair, and redox balance
- Antimicrobial peptides like LL‑37 are being explored as prototypes for new antibiotics and anti‑inflammatory drugs
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, the main takeaway is that supporting the body’s own production of LL‑37 (e.g., through vitamin D, which up‑regulates cathelicidin) may boost innate immunity, but there’s no proven supplement or dosage yet. Focus on maintaining healthy mucosal surfaces and overall immune health rather than trying to take LL‑37 directly.
Summary
LL‑37 is a natural peptide made by airway cells and immune cells that can kill microbes and also helps control inflammation, wound healing, and other immune processes. The paper reviews how these peptides work and suggests they could be used as new drug templates, but it doesn’t give specific dosing or supplement advice.
Abstract
One component of host defense at mucosal surfaces seems to be epithelium-derived antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial peptides are classified on the basis of their structure and amino acid motifs. Peptides of the defensin, cathelicidin, and histatin classes are found in humans. In the airways, alpha-defensins and the cathelicidin LL-37/hCAP-18 originate from neutrophils. beta-Defensins and LL-37/hCAP-18 are produced by the respiratory epithelium and the alveolar macrophage and secreted into the airway surface fluid. Beside their direct antimicrobial function, antimicrobial peptides have multiple roles as mediators of inflammation with effects on epithelial and inflammatory cells, influencing such diverse processes as proliferation, immune induction, wound healing, cytokine release, chemotaxis, protease-antiprotease balance, and redox homeostasis. Further, antimicrobial peptides qualify as prototypes of innovative drugs that might be used as antibiotics, anti-lipopolysaccharide drugs, or modifiers of inflammation.
Study Information
pubmed
2000
2000-10-20T00:00:00.000Z
10.1186/rr25
523
72