Study summary · research use only
Tissue-specific Regulation of Innate Immune Responses by Human Cathelicidin LL-37
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses the expression and biological functions of LL-37, the only human member of the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides. The article describes LL-37 as detected at sites exposed to microbes, including the epithelial lining of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, and lungs, and as expressed by epithelial cells and immune cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, and mast cells. It reports that LL-37 has direct antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens and diverse immunomodulatory functions, including activation of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, induction of cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, and regulation of apoptosis of epithelial cells and neutrophils, and discusses tissue-specific regulation of LL-37.
Abstract
Cathelicidins form one of the major families of antimicrobial peptides and have been identified in many vertebrates, including humans. LL-37, the only human member of the cathelicidin family, is detected in most sites of the human body that is normally exposed to microbes, including the epithelial lining of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract and lungs. This peptide is also expressed by a variety of epithelial cells and immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes and mast cells. LL-37 has emerged as a key component of innate immunity due to its direct antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of invading pathogens. It also exhibits diverse immunomodulatory functions by activating both pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators; inducing cell migration, proliferation and differentiation; and regulating apoptosis of epithelial cells and neutrophils. Given that the phenotypic and functional properties of immune compartments are different and significantly impacted by the anatomical sites, tissue-specific factors of host origin and microbial communities play important roles in the regulation of LL-37. This review summarizes the expression and biological functions of LL-37 and discusses its significant roles in the innate immune system based on its anatomical distribution.
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