LL-37

Immune Modulation

aka Human cathelicidin · hCAP-18 C-terminal peptide · Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP)

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Formula

MW (Da)

Half-life

route-dependent; minutes to hours

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Overview

LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide — an endogenous host-defense molecule that sits at the intersection of innate immunity, biofilm control, inflammation, and tissue repair. It has both protective and potentially pro-inflammatory effects, so its literature is unusually dual-sided.

Mechanism

LL-37 kills or suppresses microbes, disrupts biofilms, and also acts as a host-signaling peptide. Mechanistically, published work links LL-37 to receptor systems including EGFR, FPR2, and P2X7, helping explain effects on epithelial migration, wound closure, immune-cell recruitment, autophagy, and mediator release. Excess or prolonged exposure has been implicated in rosacea-like inflammation, UVB-amplified inflammatory responses, mast-cell activation, and inflammasome signaling — so context, dose, tissue, and duration matter.

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Reported benefits

Encouraging signals in chronic wound trials

In chronic wound research, topical LL-37 showed encouraging signals in venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers, with studies reporting improved healing predictors or improved wound-healing and reduced inflammatory markers.

[ll37-pubmed-wound]

clinical

Antimicrobial activity and biofilm disruption

LL-37 kills or suppresses microbes and disrupts biofilms — central to its host-defense role and a key reason for its translational interest in infected wounds.

[ll37-pmc-review]

preclinical

Receptor-mediated effects on healing and immunity

Published work links LL-37 to EGFR, FPR2, and P2X7 — pathways that drive epithelial migration, immune-cell recruitment, autophagy, and mediator release relevant to repair.

[ll37-pmc-review]

preclinical

Reported side effects

Implicated in rosacea-like and UVB-amplified inflammation
preclinical
Excess or prolonged LL-37 exposure has been implicated in rosacea-like inflammation, UVB-amplified inflammatory responses, mast-cell activation, and inflammasome signaling. Mechanistic risk is context-dependent.
Wound trials report general tolerability — no universal regimen
clinical
Published clinical wound studies describe topical LL-37 as generally safe and well tolerated, but those formulations cannot be generalized into a universal regimen, and no approved mainstream LL-37 product exists.

Dosing notes

No approved mainstream human LL-37 product with standard dosing instructions exists. Clinical wound studies have used topical application in venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers, but their formulations do not establish a universal regimen.

Research use only. Information on this page is editorial reference, not medical or dosing advice. Always consult qualified medical guidance before use.

Storage

No validated, product-specific LL-37 storage standard was located across research suppliers and clinical formulations. Research-grade peptide handling: lyophilized storage at about -20°C or colder, protected from light and moisture, aliquoted with minimal freeze-thaw after reconstitution.

Vendors carrying LL-37

No approved vendors are listing this peptide yet. Check back later or browse the full vendor directory.

Discussion

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References

[ll37-pmc-review]
LL-37 cathelicidin: roles in innate immunity and host defense
Review authors per PMC entry · PubMed Central
Source
[ll37-pubmed-wound]
Topical LL-37 in chronic wound healing (venous leg ulcers / DFU)
Authors per PubMed entry · PubMed
Source
[ll37-pmc-inflammation]
LL-37 inflammatory roles in skin disease (rosacea, UVB amplification)
Authors per PMC entry · PubMed Central
Source