Vitamin D-inducible antimicrobial peptide LL-37 binds SARS-CoV-2 Spike and accessory proteins ORF7a and ORF8.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 bound the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and blocked its attachment to the ACE2 receptor in lab tests. Up to seven LL-37 molecules surrounded each Spike protein.
Key Numbers
Up to 7 LL-37 molecules per Spike protein; binding confirmed to Spike, ORF7a, and ORF8
How They Did This
In vitro study using surface plasmon resonance to measure binding and negative-stain electron microscopy to visualize LL-37-Spike complexes.
Why This Research Matters
LL-37 is naturally produced in the body when vitamin D levels are adequate. Understanding how it blocks viral entry could inform new antiviral strategies.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
All results are from lab-based experiments. Binding in a test tube does not guarantee the same effect in living tissue. No animal or human data included.
Trust & Context
- Original Title:
- Vitamin D-inducible antimicrobial peptide LL-37 binds SARS-CoV-2 Spike and accessory proteins ORF7a and ORF8.
- Published In:
- Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 15, 1671738 (2025)
- Authors:
- Roth, Annika, Lütke, Steffen, Mörgelin, Matthias, Meinberger, Denise, Hermes, Gabriele, Sengle, Gerhard, Koch, Manuel, Drexelius, Marco, Gebauer, Jan, Neundorf, Ines, Elezagic, Dzemal, Paulsson, Mats, Streichert, Thomas, Klatt, Andreas R
- Database ID:
- RPEP-13317
Evidence Hierarchy
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-13317APA
Roth, Annika; Lütke, Steffen; Mörgelin, Matthias; Meinberger, Denise; Hermes, Gabriele; Sengle, Gerhard; Koch, Manuel; Drexelius, Marco; Gebauer, Jan; Neundorf, Ines; Elezagic, Dzemal; Paulsson, Mats; Streichert, Thomas; Klatt, Andreas R. (2025). Vitamin D-inducible antimicrobial peptide LL-37 binds SARS-CoV-2 Spike and accessory proteins ORF7a and ORF8.. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 15, 1671738. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1671738
MLA
Roth, Annika, et al. "Vitamin D-inducible antimicrobial peptide LL-37 binds SARS-CoV-2 Spike and accessory proteins ORF7a and ORF8.." Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1671738
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Vitamin D-inducible antimicrobial peptide LL-37 binds SARS-C..." RPEP-13317. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/roth-2025-vitamin-dinducible-antimicrobial-peptide
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.