Study summary · research use only
The Roles of Cathelicidin LL-37 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses LL-37, the only cathelicidin host defense peptide expressed in humans, and its reported role in host defense, anti-inflammatory activity, antitumorigenesis, and tissue repair, with a focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in human patients. The review states overexpression of LL-37 has been reported in inflamed and noninflamed colon mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis, while LL-37 expression was not changed in inflamed or noninflamed colon or ileal mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease. It states studies in animal models and human patients further characterized a protective effect of cathelicidins in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The review covers the structure and bioactivity of LL-37 and progress on its relationship to IBD.
Abstract
Human cathelicidin LL-37, the only member of the cathelicidin family of host defense peptides expressed in humans, plays a crucial role in host defense against pathogen invasion, as well as in regulating the functions of anti-inflammation, antitumorigenesis, and tissue repair. It is primarily produced by phagocytic leukocytes and epithelial cells, and mediates a wide range of biological responses. Emerging evidence from several studies indicates that LL-37 plays a prominent and complex role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although overexpression of LL-37 has been implicated in the inflamed and noninflamed colon mucosa in patients with ulcerative colitis, LL-37 expression was not changed in the inflamed or noninflamed colon or ileal mucosa in patients with Crohn's disease. Furthermore, studies in animal models and human patients further characterized the protective effect of cathelicidins both in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These data suggest the intricate functions of LL-37 in IBD. They will also create many strategies and opportunities for therapeutic intervention in IBD in the future. This review aims to elucidate the structure and bioactivity of LL-37 and also discuss the recent progress in understanding the relationship between LL-37 and IBD.
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