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Protein & Peptide Letters

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8665
ISSN (Online): 1875-5305

Antibacterial Function of the Human Cathelicidin-18 Peptide (LL-37) between Theory and Practice

Author(s): Simona A. Iacob and ">Diana G. Iacob

Volume 21, Issue 12, 2014

Page: [1247 - 1256] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/0929866521666140805124855

Price: $65

Abstract

The human cathelicidin-18 is an antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and tissue repair peptide. The LL-37 fragment of this peptide which is in fact the active domain of the cathelicidin-18 is critical for the human antibacterial defense and epithelial integrity. It's activity against resistant pathogens, the potential of epithelial healing after microbial injury and the neutralization of bacterial endotoxin underlie the most important benefits of this peptide. However, there are still a number of questions that remain to be answered regarding the precise interactions of cathelicidin-18 within the immune system, the exact tissue concentrations or its possible pro-tumoral activity. In this respect, the therapeutic potential of cathelicidin-18 in various infections has been proved by in vitro experiments, but additional detailed clinical studies are still required to ascertain its antimicrobial role in vivo.

We present a short review on the antibacterial activity of human cathelicidin-18 (LL-37) according to in vitro experiments while discussing its potential use in the clinical practice.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, antimicrobial peptides, bacterial infections, cathelicidin-18, immunomodulatory activity, LL- 37, therapy.

Graphical Abstract

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