Lactoferrin Applications in Immune Modulation and Infection Control
Summary
Lactoferrin is a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein abundantly present in mammalian secretions such as milk, saliva and mucosal fluids. Through high-affinity sequestration of ferric iron, it deprives pathogens of a critical nutrient, inhibits microbial growth and disrupts biofilm formation. Independently of iron chelation, lactoferrin interacts directly with bacterial and viral surfaces, blocking adhesion and entry into host cells. On the immune front, it acts as a sensor of activation status, exerting context-dependent pro- and anti-inflammatory effects by modulating cytokine networks, regulating reactive oxygen species production and influencing the differentiation and function of innate and adaptive immune cells. These combined properties underpin its role in restoring iron and inflammatory homeostasis, in limiting tissue damage during infection and in enhancing vaccine-induced responses. Practical applications range from development of antiviral and antibacterial therapeutics to adjunctive nutraceutical formulations aimed at bolstering mucosal defence and mitigating chronic inflammation in diverse clinical settings worldwide.
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Lactoferrin Applications in Immune Modulation and Infection Control publication trend
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Technical terms
Lactoferrin: A cationic iron-binding glycoprotein involved in host defence, inflammation regulation and microbial inhibition.
Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs): Negatively charged cell-surface macromolecules that serve as viral attachment factors.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive oxygen derivatives produced by immune cells to kill pathogens and signal inflammatory pathways.
Cytokines: Soluble proteins released by immune cells that mediate and regulate inflammation and cell-to-cell communication.
Innate immunity: The non-specific first line of defence comprising barriers, phagocytes and pattern-recognition receptors.
Adaptive immunity: Antigen-specific immune responses mediated by B and T lymphocytes, providing immunological memory.
Ferroportin: A transmembrane protein that exports iron from cells into the circulation, regulated by inflammatory signals.
References
- Lactoferrin: A Natural Glycoprotein Involved in Iron and Inflammatory Homeostasis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2017).
- Lactoferrin in a Context of Inflammation-Induced Pathology. Frontiers in Immunology (2017).
- The Biology of Lactoferrin, an Iron-Binding Protein That Can Help Defend Against Viruses and Bacteria. Frontiers in Immunology (2020).
- Lactoferrin from Milk: Nutraceutical and Pharmacological Properties. Pharmaceuticals (2016).
- The in vitro antiviral activity of lactoferrin against common human coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 is mediated by targeting the heparan sulfate co-receptor. Emerging Microbes & Infections (2021).
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