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Updated: Oct 18, 2025
Peptide-based Identification of Functional Motifs and their Binding Partners
Published on: June 30, 2013
Antimicrobial Peptide, LL-37, And Its Potential As An Anti-HIV Agent
Ana Vera-Cruz1, Nongnuj Tanphaichitr2, Jonathan B Angel3
1Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada and Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada .
Abstract:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to have a profound global health impact. New infections continue at a high rate despite the development of prophylactic therapies, prompting the need for development of novel preventative approaches. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as LL-37, display broad microbicidal properties and have potential as anti-HIV agents. LL-37 has been studied for its anti-HIV activity and the limited data available suggest it can inhibit HIV infection in primary T cells as well as exert inhibitory effects on key HIV enzymes. Its immunomodulatory properties may both enhance and inhibit HIV replication. In addition, LL-37 has both 1) the ability to kill other sexually-transmitted pathogens and 2) spermicidal activity; thus, it is a good candidate for multipurpose prevention technology. Further investigation of its anti-HIV activity is warranted.
