An antimicrobial peptide of the cathelicidin family that provides innate immune defense by killing pathogens and modulating inflammation and wound healing.
Researchers put the antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 into tiny lipid particles called cubosomes. The peptide stuck to the particles well and the cubosomes shielded it from being broken down by enzymes, making it kill bacteria more effectively after enzyme exposure. However, when loaded, LL‑37 mainly worked against Gram‑negative bugs and lost some of its broad‑spectrum power.
Hoang-Yen Tran. D D; Hoang-Ngoc Tran. D D; Mattai. S A SA; Sallam. T T; Ortiz. C C; Lee. E C EC; Rob...
The study shows that increasing the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin (LL‑37) in mice cuts down body fat and liver fat by blocking a fat‑uptake receptor called CD36. In lab cells, cathelicidin also lowered CD36 and reduced lipid buildup. In people, higher blood levels of cathelicidin were seen in obese individuals, while pre‑diabetic patients had lower levels, hinting at a link with metabolism.
Researchers found that a new peptide called AMP-IBP5, which is similar to the well‑known antimicrobial peptide LL‑37, can make skin cells (keratinocytes) grow and move faster, and it boosts two important healing signals (IL‑8 and VEGF). It works through specific skin receptors (MrgX1‑X4) and activates common cell‑growth pathways (MAPK and NF‑κB). This suggests the peptide could help speed up wound healing, but the work was done only in cell dishes, not in people.
Hernández-Sánchez. Fernando F; Guzmán-Beltrán. Silvia S; Herrera. María Ter...
High blood sugar adds a sugar tag (O-GlcNAc) to the vitamin D receptor in immune cells, but this modification doesn't stop vitamin D from turning on the antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 or from keeping macrophages good at killing bacteria.
Lindow. Janet C JC; Wunder. Elsio A EA; Popper. Stephen J SJ; Min. Jin-Na JN; Mannam. Praveen P; Sri...
People who die from severe leptospirosis have lower levels of the natural antibiotic peptide LL‑37 (cathelicidin) and higher bacterial loads, while survivors have stronger immune responses. Giving LL‑37 to infected hamsters lowered the bacteria and helped them survive, showing the peptide can be protective.
Kos. Spela S; Vanvarenberg. Kevin K; Dolinsek. Tanja T; Cemazar. Maja M; Jelenc. Jure J; Préat....
Scientists made a skin‑friendly electrode pad that can shoot DNA into the skin without needles. Using it, they got mice to make the antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 inside their skin, which made wounds close faster, and they also showed it works for DNA vaccines. The study shows the concept works, but it needs special gear and isn’t ready for home use yet.
Kreling. Paula Fernanda PF; Aida. Kelly Limi KL; Massunari. Loiane L; Caiaffa. Karina Sampaio KS; Pe...
Researchers tested pieces of the natural antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 and found that one fragment, called D1‑23, can kill the bacteria that cause cavities without harming human mouth cells, and it works even better than the common mouthwash ingredient chlorhexidine in lab biofilm tests.
Bjerkan. Louise L; Sonesson. Andreas A; Schenck. Karl K
Researchers found that a protein called TSLP, which comes in two versions, can kill bacteria just like the well‑known antimicrobial peptide LL‑37. The short version (sfTSLP) works best, and a tiny 34‑amino‑acid piece of it (named MKK34) can break bacterial membranes similarly to LL‑37. This suggests TSLP‑derived fragments could become new antimicrobial tools, especially for skin, mouth, and gut health, but they aren’t yet available for personal use.
Gupta. Shashank S; Winglee. Kathryn K; Gallo. Richard R; Bishai. William R WR
The study shows that the antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 (called cathelicidin in mice) is crucial for fighting tuberculosis. Mice lacking this peptide get sicker, their immune cells don’t kill the bacteria well, and they have weaker T‑cell responses. The bacteria can lower LL‑37 levels by releasing a molecule called cAMP, which interferes with the immune system’s signaling.
Castañeda-Delgado. Julio E JE; Frausto-Lujan. Isabel I; González-Curiel. Irma I; Montoya-R...
The study shows that in older people, certain immune signals (like IL‑10, IL‑4, IL‑6) are linked to lower levels of the natural antibiotic peptide LL‑37, which helps fight infections. When these signals are high, LL‑37 drops, suggesting that managing inflammation could boost this peptide and improve immunity in the elderly.
Vargas Buonfiglio. Luis G LG; Mudunkotuwa. Imali A IA; Abou Alaiwa. Mahmoud H MH; Vanegas Calder...
The study shows that tiny particles from coal ash can stick to the natural antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 (and other similar proteins) in the fluid lining our airways. When this happens, LL‑37 can’t kill bacteria as well, making the lungs more vulnerable to infections.
Borelli. C C; Becker. B B; Thude. S S; Fehrenbacher. B B; Isermann. D D
A lab study showed that Dermasence Refining Gel can lower the activity of several inflammation‑related molecules (LL‑37, VEGF, PAR2) that are linked to rosacea, while it raises KLK5 levels. The changes were seen after 18 hours in a skin model, suggesting the gel may help calm mild to moderate rosacea when used as a topical cosmetic.
Rajasekaran. Ganesan G; Kim. Eun Young EY; Shin. Song Yub SY
Scientists made two shorter versions of the human peptide LL-37 (called FK-13-a1 and FK-13-a7) that kill bacteria better, are less harmful to human cells, work well with the antibiotic chloramphenicol, and still calm inflammation. These new peptides could be cheaper and more effective than the original LL-37, but they are still in early research stages.
Researchers made three positively‑charged, water‑loving peptides from soybean proteins and showed they can kill some bacteria and yeast, neutralize bacterial toxins, and promote blood‑vessel growth, all while causing very little damage to red blood cells.
Pulsipher. Abigail A; Qin. Xuan X; Thomas. Andrew J AJ; Prestwich. Glenn D GD; Oottamasathien. Siam...
A lab test in mice showed that a synthetic sugar-like molecule called GM-0111 can coat the inside of the nose, get into the tissue, and block inflammation caused by the peptide LL-37. It worked better than regular hyaluronic acid, cutting down immune cell buildup, tissue swelling and cell damage.
Schrumpf. Jasmijn A JA; Amatngalim. Gimano D GD; Veldkamp. Joris B JB; Verhoosel. Renate M RM; Ninab...
Inflammation in the lungs (like from asthma or chronic infections) can blunt the benefits of vitamin D, especially its ability to boost the antimicrobial peptide LL‑37 that helps kill bacteria. The study shows that inflammatory signals raise a vitamin‑D‑breaking enzyme (CYP24A1), cutting down the protective effects of both active and inactive vitamin D.
A synthetic vitamin D3 analog called maxacalcitol (OCT) makes human mouth‑lining cells produce more of the natural antimicrobial peptide LL‑37, which can kill the gum‑disease bug Porphyromonas gingivalis in lab tests.
Le. J J; Dam. Q Q; Schweizer. M M; Thienphrapa. W W; Nizet. V V; Sakoulas. G G
The study found that low‑dose nafcillin, a common beta‑lactam antibiotic, makes regular (MSSA) Staph bacteria more vulnerable to the body’s own antimicrobial peptide LL‑37, while vancomycin does not. Nafcillin also lowers the bacteria’s protective pigment and makes them break apart more easily.
Chunxiao. Che C; Keyu. Jiang J; Yuanyuan. Ma M; Sa. Zeng Z; Jianye. Zhou Z; Zhiqiang. Li L; Xiangyi....
Researchers created a new peptide called C16LL-37 that homes in on the cavity‑causing bacteria Streptococcus mutans. In lab tests it kills the bacteria at relatively low concentrations, leaves human red blood cells unharmed, and stays active under different temperatures, pH levels, and salt amounts. It looks promising for future anti‑cavity products, but it’s still an early‑stage lab finding, not something you can buy or safely use yet.
Yang. Yoolhee Y; Choi. Hyunju H; Seon. Mira M; Cho. Daeho D; Bang. Sa Ik SI
The study shows that the natural peptide LL‑37 can make fat‑derived stem cells grow and move faster, and it makes them release more healing proteins. When these boosted cells were used in mice, they helped hair grow back. This points to LL‑37 as a possible way to improve stem‑cell‑based therapies, though it’s still early‑stage and not yet proven in people.