Antimicrobial peptide LL37 is potent against non-growing <i>Escherichia coli</i> cells despite a slower action rate

Antibiotic treatments can fail because of the regrowth of a bacterial subpopulation that resumes proliferation once the treatment ceases. This resurgence is primarily driven by non-growing, dormant bacterial cells that withstand the action of antibiotics without developing resistance. In this study, we explore the potency of the human antimicrobial peptide LL37 against non-growing <i>Escherichia coli</i> cells. Our findings reveal that despite a slower initial action, LL37 peptides, given sufficient time, demonstrate strong efficacy against non-growing cells. These insights suggest a potential role of antimicrobial peptides in combating persistent bacterial infections by targeting the non-growing cells.