Levels of innate immune factors in genital fluids: association of alpha defensins and LL-37 with genital infections and increased HIV acquisition.

Levinson P, Kaul R, Kimani J, Ngugi E, Moses S, MacDonald KS, Broliden K, Hirbod T

AIDS (London, England)1 Jan 2009Cited by 122 (Europe PMC)

PMID19114868DOI10.1097/qad.0b013e328321809cPepBankPUB-19114868

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study4

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured4

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In HIV-uninfected Kenyan sex workers, cervicovaginal secretions contained high levels of LL‑37.
In plain wordsIn Kenyan sex workers without HIV, genital fluid contained high levels of the body's own LL‑37.
Peptide
LL-37
Outcome
Not applicableLL-37 level in cervicovaginal secretions
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Infection
Source sentences
Summary
CVS contained high levels of defensins (human neutrophil peptide-1-3 and human beta defensin-2-3), LL-37 and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Cervicovaginal secretions (CVSs) were collected from HIV uninfected Kenyan sex workers at enrolment into an HIV prevention trial. After trial completion, CVS from participants acquiring HIV (cases) and matched controls were assessed for levels of innate immune factors and HIV neutralizing capacity,…
This result measures the body's own LL-37. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1911486801
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In cervicovaginal secretions, HIV neutralization was correlated with LL‑37 levels.
In plain wordsIn genital fluid, stronger HIV neutralization was linked to higher levels of the body's own LL‑37.
Peptide
LL-37
Outcome
Not applicableLL-37 and HIV neutralization
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Antiviral activity · Infection
Source sentences
Summary
HIV neutralization was correlated with human neutrophil peptide-1-3 (alpha-defensins) and LL-37 levels.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Cervicovaginal secretions (CVSs) were collected from HIV uninfected Kenyan sex workers at enrolment into an HIV prevention trial. After trial completion, CVS from participants acquiring HIV (cases) and matched controls were assessed for levels of innate immune factors and HIV neutralizing capacity,…
This result measures the body's own LL-37. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1911486802
03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In cervicovaginal secretions, LL‑37 levels were increased in participants with bacterial sexually transmitted infections.
In plain wordsIn genital fluid, the body's own LL‑37 level was higher in people with bacterial sexually transmitted infections.
Peptide
LL-37
Outcome
IncreaseLL-37 level and bacterial sexually transmitted infection
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Infection
Source sentences
Summary
alpha-defensin and LL-37 levels were increased in participants with bacterial sexually transmitted infections
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Cervicovaginal secretions (CVSs) were collected from HIV uninfected Kenyan sex workers at enrolment into an HIV prevention trial. After trial completion, CVS from participants acquiring HIV (cases) and matched controls were assessed for levels of innate immune factors and HIV neutralizing capacity,…
This result measures the body's own LL-37. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1911486803
04HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In multivariate analysis, higher cervicovaginal LL‑37 levels were independently associated with increased HIV acquisition.
In plain wordsHigher levels of the body's own LL‑37 in genital fluid were linked to a higher chance of getting HIV.
Peptide
LL-37
Outcome
IncreaseLL-37 level and HIV acquisition
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Infection
Source sentences
Summary
However, alpha-defensin and LL-37 levels were increased in participants with bacterial sexually transmitted infections and were independently associated with increased HIV acquisition in multivariate analysis.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Cervicovaginal secretions (CVSs) were collected from HIV uninfected Kenyan sex workers at enrolment into an HIV prevention trial. After trial completion, CVS from participants acquiring HIV (cases) and matched controls were assessed for levels of innate immune factors and HIV neutralizing capacity,…
This result measures the body's own LL-37. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1911486804

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 3Current
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:58 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.