Research background · Updated November 1, 2026
LL-37 Research: Publications, Study Types and Background
Short answer
LL-37. As of November 1, 2026, PubMed indexes 3,033 records matching LL-37, the earliest from 1996; 918 were published in 2021–2025 and 307 are reviews. ClinicalTrials.gov lists 61 registered studies matching the compound.
- PubMed records
- 3,033
- Earliest record
- 1996
- Published 2021–2025
- 918
- Reviews
- 307
- Animal-only studies
- 216
- Registered studies
- 61
Publications per year, 2006–2025
1,879 records in 2016–2025 against 1,144 in 2006–2015; the busiest year was 2025, with 219.
See the numbers
| Year | PubMed records |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 69 |
| 2007 | 58 |
| 2008 | 83 |
| 2009 | 104 |
| 2010 | 102 |
| 2011 | 139 |
| 2012 | 141 |
| 2013 | 130 |
| 2014 | 153 |
| 2015 | 165 |
| 2016 | 160 |
| 2017 | 176 |
| 2018 | 177 |
| 2019 | 180 |
| 2020 | 204 |
| 2021 | 207 |
| 2022 | 214 |
| 2023 | 164 |
| 2024 | 178 |
| 2025 | 219 |
Study types
| All PubMed records | 3,033 |
|---|---|
| Reviews | 30710% |
| Animal studies (no human subjects indexed) | 2167% |
| Indexed as clinical trials | 692% |
| Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov | 61 |
Categories overlap and follow PubMed’s own indexing; recent records may not be indexed yet.
Primary research directions
What 4 of the most-cited and most recent LL-37 papers report, in their own authors’ terms. Each line links the paper it came from.
Antimicrobial activity
This review states that LL-37 is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and some viruses, that it may limit the spread of an infection through direct antibacterial and antiviral effects and through anti- and pro-inflammatory actions, and that gingival crevicular fluid contains about 1 µM of it.
ReviewSvensson D 2025Inflammation researchPMID 40063262
Antifungal activity
This review reports that LL-37 can inhibit the growth of clinically relevant fungi including Aspergillus and Candida, summarizes its molecular mechanisms and points to areas for future research.
ReviewMemariani M 2023World journal of microbiology & biotechnologyPMID 38057654
Inflammasome signaling in skin
In cell experiments LL-37 promoted NLRP3-mediated inflammasome activation through lysosomal destabilization in the presence of LPS, and in a mouse model of rosacea, injecting LL-37 caused skin inflammation that NLRP3 inhibition or knockout abrogated.
MiceCroitoru DO 2021The Journal of investigative dermatologyPMID 34565561
Structure and immune function
This editorial describes LL-37 as a mediator of immune defense against pathogens that also contributes to chronic disease and tissue pathogenesis, and proposes a structural basis for its function in its flexibility and ability to adapt to different microenvironments and binding partners.
ReviewRadic M 2022CellsPMID 35954305
Most-studied topics
The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) PubMed indexers most often marked as a main topic, across 400 of the 3,033 records. They describe what the literature is about, not what LL-37 does.
- Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides218 papers
- Cathelicidins93 papers
- Anti-Bacterial Agents41 papers
- Anti-Infective Agents26 papers
- Neutrophils14 papers
- Staphylococcus aureus13 papers
- Antimicrobial Peptides12 papers
- Keratinocytes12 papers
Key papers
Earliest indexed record
Gudmundsson GH (1996). European journal of biochemistry.
PMID 8681941Most-cited paper · 935 citations
De Yang (2000). The Journal of experimental medicine.
PMID 11015447Most-cited #2 · 680 citations
Sørensen OE (2001). Blood.
PMID 11389039Most-cited #3 · 621 citations
Frohm M (1997). The Journal of biological chemistry.
PMID 9182550
Citation counts from NIH iCite, among the 400 records sampled. Titles are left out; open each record on PubMed to read it.
Identity
| CAS | 154947-66-7 |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C205H340N60O53 |
| Molecular weight | 4493 g/mol |
| Synonyms | LL-37, ropocamptide, Cap-18, cathelicidin LL-37, CAP18 |
Identity data from PubChem, retrieved November 1, 2026, on the LL-37 page.
How these numbers were counted
- PubMed search, run November 1, 2026:
"LL-37"[tiab] OR "LL37"[tiab]re-run it. Study types add PubMed’s own filters (review, clinical trial, animals not humans). - Topics: MeSH major-topic headings counted across up to 400 of the matching records; headings for study set-up (species, sex, age) are left out.
- Citations: NIH iCite citation counts for the same records.
- ClinicalTrials.gov search:
"LL-37"re-run it. Any phase, any status.
This page reports what has been published and what papers say they found, with each source linked. It gives no dosing or usage information, and nothing here is a reason to use LL-37 outside a laboratory.
Wholesale supply
LL-37, sourced to order for research.
Not held in the listed catalog. Tell us the vial size and the number of vials and we come back with availability, documentation and pricing in writing.
LL-37 research questions
How much research has been published on LL-37?
PubMed indexes 3,033 records matching LL-37 (searched November 1, 2026), including 307 reviews and 69 records indexed as clinical trials. 918 were published in the five years 2021–2025.
When was LL-37 first described in the literature?
The earliest PubMed record matching LL-37 is from 1996 (Gudmundsson GH, European journal of biochemistry, PMID 8681941).
What topics does the LL-37 literature cover?
The subject headings PubMed indexers most often marked as a main topic of LL-37 papers are Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Cathelicidins, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Anti-Infective Agents. These describe what the literature is about. Findings from individual papers, with their sources, are summarized on this page.
Is LL-37 sold for human use?
No. Vanta Foundry supplies it for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, and not a drug, food, cosmetic or dietary supplement.
Where can I buy LL-37 wholesale for research?
We source LL-37 to order rather than stock it. Tell us the vial size and number of vials on WhatsApp or by email and the quote confirms availability, documentation and pricing.
Research materials supplied by Vanta Foundry are for laboratory research use only. They are not for human or veterinary use and are not drugs, foods, cosmetics or dietary supplements. Websites and payment processing are business services for research-supply brands.
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