Chen Keqiang, Gong Wanghua, Huang Jiaqiang, Yoshimura Teizo, Wang Ji Ming
Laboratory of Cancer ImmunoMetabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Basic Research Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2021 Nov 30;26(11):1362-1372. doi: 10.52586/5029.
Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (LL-37) is an antimicrobial peptide derived from its precursor protein hCAP18, which is an only cathelicidin in human. LL-37 not only serves as a mediator of innate immune defense against invading microorganisms, but it also plays an essential role in tissue homeostasis, regenerative processes, regulation of proinflammatory responses, and inhibition of cancer progression. Therefore, LL-37 has been considered as a drug lead for diseases. However, high levels of LL-37 may reduce cell viability and promote apoptosis of osteoblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, periodontal ligament cells, neutrophils, airway epithelial cells and T cells. Recent evidence reveals that LL-37-derived short peptides possess similar biological activities as the whole LL-37 with reduced cytotoxicity. Thus, such small molecules constitute a pool of potential therapeutic agents for diseases.
人源cathelicidin抗菌肽LL-37（LL-37）是一种由其前体蛋白hCAP18衍生而来的抗菌肽，hCAP18是人类唯一的cathelicidin。LL-37不仅作为抵御入侵微生物的固有免疫防御介质，还在组织稳态、再生过程、促炎反应调节以及癌症进展抑制中发挥重要作用。因此，LL-37被认为是疾病治疗的潜在先导药物。然而，高水平的LL-37可能会降低细胞活力并促进成骨细胞、血管平滑肌细胞、牙周膜细胞、中性粒细胞、气道上皮细胞和T细胞的凋亡。最近的证据表明，LL-37衍生的短肽具有与完整LL-37相似的生物学活性，但细胞毒性降低。因此，这类小分子构成了一系列疾病的潜在治疗药物。
