LL -37 Peptides
hCAP18, the only cathelicidin gene found in humans
In humans, cathelicidins and defensins are expressed in immune cells and at epithelial surfaces.
hCAP18 is the human cationic antimicrobial protein, with a MW of 18 kD.
The N-terminus of this protein consists of a cathelin-like region (highly conserved among species) and a C-terminal termed LL-37.
An amphipathic alpha-helical peptide, LL-37 plays an important role in the first line of defense against local infection and systemic invasion of pathogens at sites of inflammation and wounds.
Cathelicidins have broad-range antimicrobial activity
Cytotoxic to both bacterial and normal eukaryotic cells, LL-37 is significantly resistant to proteolytic degradation in solution. In addition to having antimicrobial activity, LL-37 has been shown to play a role in chemoattraction, dendritic cell differentiation, mast cell degranulation, cytokine secretion, angiogenesis stimulation, and wound healing.
In other species, the C-terminal antimicrobial region varies in size, sequence and structure.
Cathelicidins are cationic peptides belonging to the family of antimicrobial peptides which form part of the host's important innate immunity mechanism.