Peptides LL-37 (CAP-18) 5 mg

LL-37: an antimicrobial peptide with immune system effects 

LL-37 (also known as CAP-18 or LL37) is a group of peptides known as cathelicidins. Cathelicidin peptides (themselves members of a larger group of proteins called cationic antimicrobial peptides, or AMP for short) are usually found in the lysosomes of macrophages and other leukocytes. Scientific studies have shown that they play an important role in immune defense against bacteria, fungi and viruses. 

LL-37 is the only known human cathelicidin. It is 37 amino acids long and is an amphipathic (has hydrophilic and water-avoiding components) alpha-helix. It has broad activity against a number of pathogenic microorganisms, and is also believed to play a central role in the inflammatory process. Recent studies have shown that LL-37 can activate other components of the immune system, such as mast cells (related to allergies), monocytes, T-lymphocytes and neutrophils. It also promotes the healing and growth of blood vessels (angiogenesis) ¹ . 

LL-37 is superior to conventional antibiotics 

Staphylococcus aureus  in short, staphylococcus, is one of the biggest problems facing modern medicine, especially because it has become resistant to a number of antibiotics. Studies with LL-37 show that it is effective against staphylococcus at nanomolar concentrations, kills bacteria both when entering cells and when it is free, and more effective than conventional antibiotics. These features make LL-37 is of particular interest to the medical field, and it is hoped that the peptide will be useful in the treatment of chronic infections, such as those affecting people with diabetes or immune dysfunction.² .

What makes LL-37 particularly interesting is that it targets the lipid membrane of bacteria directly, affecting the structure of the membrane. This is slightly different from how conventional antibiotics work (by interacting with the protein components of the membrane). Proteins can be easily changed by mutation, leading to antibiotic resistance. Mutations do not affect lipids, and thus the chances of resistance to LL-37 very small ^2,3 .

LL-37 and tissue treatment 

The balance between inflammation and tissue healing is delicate. Inflammatory responses are absolutely essential if the body is to fight invading pathogens. Unfortunately, these same inflammatory responses can prevent adequate healing, promote scar tissue formation, and even lead to autoimmune diseases if left unchecked. LL-37 appears to play a role in balancing inflammation and healing, and at least part of this role is mediated by the effect on macrophages. 

Macrophages cause inflammation when they detect foreign pathogens. They do this by first detecting the pathogens and then sending signals to the rest of the body that defenses must be established. Once the tide turns and the immune system begins to catch up with these pathogens, macrophages begin to generate a new set of signals that calm the inflammation so the body can move on to the next phase of healing. It turns out that peptides like LL-37, play an important role in the reversal of macrophage activation ⁴ . Simply put, removal of LL-37 from the tissue causes macrophages to return to an anti-inflammatory formation. In other words, the presence of LL-37 turns anti-inflammatory macrophages into pro-inflammatory macrophages. Removing LL-37 completely reverses the conversion and calms the inflammatory response.