The Critical Role of the Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37/CRAMP in Protection of Colon Microbiota Balance, Mucosal Homeostasis, Anti-Inflammatory Responses, and Resistance to Carcinogenesis

Mouse cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) and its homologue human cathelicidin (LL-37) play active roles in innate immune responses, angiogenesis, and wound healing. In addition, LL-37/CRAMP fends off microbes and protects against infections in the colon, where the epithelium is exposed to myriad of enteric pathogens. It is increasingly recognized that LL-37/CRAMP maintains colon mucosal barrier integrity, shapes the composition of microbiota, and protects the host from tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss the importance of LL-37/CRAMP in the homeostasis of the host, with novel findings derived from mice deficient in CRAMP that support the proposition for this natural antimicrobial peptide and an immune modulator as a drug lead for therapeutic development.