Abstract

LL-37 and Peptide 19-2.5 ▪ LL-37 is the only member of the cathelicidin family of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) expressed in humans. ▪ However, LL-37 cannot be utilised as a therapeutic intervention, as high doses of this peptide are toxic. Thus, synthetic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as Peptide 19-2.5 (Pep2.5) , were developed with reduced toxicity as a potential lead candidate for the treatment of diseases in which AMPs may be useful including type-2 mellitus (T2DM). ▪ Pep2.5 was designed to have a maximal binding capacity for the lipid-A moiety of LPS and to neutralise LPS. Pep2.5 converts the lipid A part of LPS from a cubic aggregate into an inactive multi-lamellar structure and attenuates the systemic inflammation and organ injury/dysfunction associated with sepsis by binding to and inactivating LPS