Open AccessAntimicrobial Peptide, LL-37, And Its Potential As An Anti-HIV Agent
Author(s) -
Ana Vera-Cruz,
gnuj Tanphaichitr,
Jonathan B. Angel
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
clinical and investigative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.391
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1488-2353
pISSN - 0147-958X
DOI - 10.25011/cim.v44i3.36657
Subject(s) - antimicrobial , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , antimicrobial peptides , immunology , virus , peptide , virology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry
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.