What is LL-37?

LL-37 is the only cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide made by the human body, named for its 37 amino acids beginning with two leucines.

How does LL-37 work?

It can disrupt bacterial membranes and also signals to immune cells, playing a role in the skin’s and gut’s first-line defenses.

What are researchers studying?

• ●Antimicrobial activity against bacteria and biofilms
• ●Wound healing
• ●Inflammatory skin conditions

Where does the evidence stand?

Quick facts

Research area

Immune

Also known as

LL37

Third-party lab results

1 published COAs →

Tested vendors tracking it

2 vendors →

Recent peer-reviewed research

The most relevant LL-37 studies from the last three years, via PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

1. A sonosensitive diphenylalanine-based broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide
   Nature biomedical engineering · 2025 Aug · PubMed ↗
2. Engineered Macrophage Membrane-Camouflaged Nanodecoys Reshape the Infectious Microenvironment for Efficient Periodontitis Treatment
   ACS nano · 2025 Apr 29 · PubMed ↗
3. Rapid evolution of an adaptive multicellular morphology of Candida auris during systemic infection
   Nature communications · 2024 Mar 16 · PubMed ↗
4. Antiparasitic effect of peptoids against Cryptosporidium parvum
   Microbiology (Reading, England) · 2025 Oct · PubMed ↗
5. Vitamin D triggers hCAP18/LL-37 production: Implications for LL-37-induced human osteoblast cytotoxicity
   Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 2024 Jun 18 · PubMed ↗

Compare LL-37

Related research guides

This guide summarizes published research for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not describe how to use LL-37. Citations link to PubMed and are listed for reference — we haven't reviewed or endorsed their findings. Products referenced on The Peptide Audit are sold by third parties for laboratory research use only and are not for human consumption.