An angiogenic role for the human peptide antibiotic LL-37/hCAP-18

Antimicrobial peptides are effector molecules of the innate immune system and contribute to host defense and regulation of inflammation. The human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL-37/hCAP-18 is expressed in leukocytes and epithelial cells and secreted into wound and airway surface fluid. Here we show that LL-37 induces angiogenesis mediated by formyl peptide receptor-like 1 expressed on endothelial cells. Application of LL-37 resulted in neovascularization in the chorioallantoic membrane assay and in a rabbit model of hind-limb ischemia. The peptide directly activates endothelial cells, resulting in increased proliferation and formation of vessel-like structures in cultivated endothelial cells. Decreased…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• UO
  University of Pennsylvania
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Award: SPP 1069
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: AI48176