October 23, 2015
Novel Drug Therapy: LL-37 Associated with Sterically Stabilized Micelles (SSM)
LL-37 is a 37 residue long amphipathic peptide with broad spectrum anti-microbial and antiviral activity, and is bacteriocidal, fungicidial, and immunoregulatory. Therapeutic potential of LL-37 is hampered by its toxicity towards erythrocytes. However, formulations of LL-37 with sterically stabilized micelles (SSM) have shown no toxicity. Sterically stabilized micelles provide protection against uptake by the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) or enzymatic cleavage and allows the molecules to passively target and extravasate in areas of leaky vasculature as in the case of inflammation or cancer. LL-37, with its broad spectrum antibacterial properties and its composition that lends itself to targeted drug therapy using micelles, shows promise as a novel drug to combat lung infection. Based on the results of the microbial dilution assay, it appears that LL-37 enclosed in the micelles does not inhibit microbial growth in vitro. Further research should occur to test the efficacy of this drug formulation in vivo.
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