Class

Host-defence (antimicrobial) peptides

Host-defence peptides are part of innate immunity. Cathelicidins, one family, are cationic and amphipathic, properties the literature links to their membrane-directed antimicrobial activity, and in cell-based work they also show immunomodulatory actions such as directing chemotaxis and affecting cell differentiation. LL-37 is the only cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide identified in humans, released from its precursor hCAP-18 by proteinase 3 during neutrophil degranulation.

How the members differ

LL-37 is the human cathelicidin; PR-39 is a proline-rich porcine cathelicidin, and findings on it are not evidence about LL-37.
Reviews caution that in vitro cathelicidin results need to be placed in the in vivo context, since animal and cell findings do not always align.
LL-37's main human test was topical, in venous leg ulcers, and no controlled trial of systemically given LL-37 was identified.

Compounds in this group

LL-37Limited human data · Not approved — research use onlyA human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, cleaved from the precursor hCAP-18, studied in the laboratory for host defense, inflammation and wound biology.

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, or dietary supplement. Mechanism descriptions summarize published research and are not claims of effect in people.