LL-37
LL-37 (Human Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide)
The antimicrobial peptide
The body's own broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide — the active fragment of human cathelicidin (the CAMP gene), part of innate immune defense against bacteria, viruses and biofilms. Here's the key insight: your body makes LL-37 in a vitamin-D-dependent way, so for most people the smarter lever is correcting vitamin D to restore endogenous LL-37, rather than injecting an experimental exogenous version with thin safety data.
Key Benefits
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity
Innate-immune modulation and wound-healing support
Tightly linked to the vitamin-D axis (a correctable lever)
Relevant to people with a genetically low vitamin-D pathway
A window into how your own innate immunity is wired
Mechanism of Action
How LL-37 works
LL-37 is a front-line innate-immune effector:
- Direct antimicrobial action — disrupts bacterial and viral membranes and breaks down biofilms across a broad spectrum of pathogens
- Immune modulation — recruits immune cells and tunes the inflammatory response, bridging innate and adaptive immunity
- Vitamin-D dependence — the CAMP gene that produces cathelicidin/LL-37 is switched on by active vitamin D via the vitamin D receptor; a low vitamin-D axis means low endogenous LL-37
- Correct-the-cause logic — for a genetically low vitamin-D axis, restoring vitamin D rebuilds your own LL-37 production, which is safer and better-evidenced than injecting the experimental peptide
Your Genetics & LL-37
Genetic variants that affect your response
These SNPs determine how effectively LL-37 works for you specifically. A genetic peptide report identifies your variants before you start.
The vitamin D receptor switches on the CAMP gene that makes LL-37. Reduced-function VDR variants lower endogenous LL-37 production — which argues for optimizing vitamin D to restore your own LL-37 before considering the exogenous peptide.
The GC gene sets vitamin-D-binding-protein levels and free vitamin D availability. Lower-availability genotypes feed a weaker vitamin-D → LL-37 axis, the same correctable bottleneck.
CAMP is the gene that encodes LL-37 itself. Expression-affecting variants set how much cathelicidin you produce in response to a given vitamin-D level.
Which variants do you carry?
Upload your DNA data or order a kit to find out.
Evidence & Research
30+
Published studies
Pathway-based inference and early research. Use with appropriate caution
Common Stacks
LL-37 is commonly combined with:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LL-37 used for?
LL-37 is the body's natural broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide, explored for chronic/biofilm infections and immune support. It's part of innate immunity and is produced by your own cells in a vitamin-D-dependent way.
Should I inject LL-37 or fix my vitamin D?
For most people, the genetics point to fixing vitamin D first. The CAMP/cathelicidin gene that makes LL-37 is switched on by vitamin D — so a low vitamin-D axis (VDR/GC variants) is best corrected at the source, restoring your own LL-37, which is safer and better-evidenced than the experimental injectable.
Is LL-37 legal?
LL-37 is not approved by any major regulator. Human data are thin and injectable use is experimental/research-only. Regulatory status and access vary by country.
Learn More About LL-37
Your next move
Two ways forward with LL-37.
Not sure it's for you?
Will LL-37 work for your genes — and at what dose?
Your report scores LL-37 against your receptor, CYP and pathway variants — likely responder, non-responder, and a sensible starting dose — in minutes.
Analyze my DNA — $99