LL-37

Product Overview

LL-37 is produced by a wide range of cells including neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, epithelial cells, keratinocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells. Its amphipathic structure enables it to interact with and disrupt bacterial membranes. Beyond antimicrobial activity, LL-37 plays a key role in immune regulation, inflammatory modulation, wound healing, and biofilm disruption, making it one of the most versatile host defense peptides studied.

Mechanism of Action

LL-37 disrupts bacterial membranes through direct interaction, providing broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and tumor cells. It also demonstrates immunomodulatory properties including suppression of pro-inflammatory macrophage pyroptosis, stimulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and regulation of cytokine production.

Key Benefits

Immune System Optimization — Enhances both innate and adaptive immune responses, improving the body's ability to mount targeted defense while avoiding overreaction. Supports recovery from infection, chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction.

Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial — Inhibits a wide variety of pathogens including resistant bacteria and enveloped viruses. Effective against MRSA wound infections in murine models with markedly reduced bacterial loads.

Anti-Inflammatory Regulation — Modulates cytokine production to reduce chronic low-grade inflammation associated with conditions like autoimmunity, chronic fatigue, and post-infectious syndromes.

Wound Healing & Tissue Repair — Promotes keratinocyte migration, angiogenesis, and collagen remodeling. Useful for surgical recovery, skin ulcers, burns, and barrier function restoration.

Biofilm Disruption — Penetrates and disrupts biofilms, enhancing the efficacy of antimicrobial treatments in chronic sinusitis, dental infections, and gut dysbiosis.

References

1. Vandamme D, et al. A comprehensive summary of LL-37, the factotum human cathelicidin peptide. *Cell Immunol.* 2012;280:22–35.
2. Simonetti O, et al. Efficacy of cathelicidin LL-37 in an MRSA wound infection mouse model. *Antibiotics.* 2021;10:1210.
3. Dürr UH, et al. The human cathelicidin LL-37 — a pore-forming antibacterial peptide and host-cell modulator. *Biochim Biophys Acta.* 2006.