LL-37, also known as hCAP18, belongs to the cathelicidins family of antimicrobial peptides that possess strong antimicrobial activity across multiple species. In humans, this is the only cathelicidin present, and it is produced in epithelial cells through the proteolytic cleavage of the hCAP-18 protein. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, LL-37 also plays a crucial role in regulating the immune system. It can inhibit inflammatory responses by suppressing the activation of TLR2 and TLR4, which recognize different components of bacterial cell walls.
