Lactoferrin (LF), also known as lactotransferrin (LTF), is a multifunctional protein of the transferrin family. Lactoferrin is a globular glycoprotein with a molecular mass of about 80 kDa that is widely represented in various secretory fluids, such as milk, saliva, tears, and nasal secretions. Lactoferrin is also present in secondary granules of PMNs and is secreted by some acinar cells. Lactoferrin can be purified from milk or produced recombinantly. Human colostrum ("first milk") has the highest concentration, followed by human milk, then cow milk (150 mg/L).[5]
Lactoferrin is one of the components of the immune system of the body; it has antimicrobial activity (bacteriocide, fungicide) and is part of the innate defense, mainly at mucoses.[5] It is constantly produced and released into saliva, tears, as well as seminal and vaginal fluid.[6] Lactoferrin provides antibacterial activity to human infants.[7][8] Lactoferrin interacts with DNA and RNA, polysaccharides and heparin, and shows some of its biological functions in complexes with these ligands.
Lactoferrin supplements reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections, based on a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.[9] As with any supplements sold online, quality may be an issue because nutritional supplement production quality controls are not subject to the same strict regulatory process as medicines.[10]
- ^ a b c GRCh38: Ensembl release 89: ENSG00000012223 – Ensembl, May 2017
- ^ a b c GRCm38: Ensembl release 89: ENSMUSG00000032496 – Ensembl, May 2017
- ^ "Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ^ "Mouse PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ^ a b Sánchez L, Calvo M, Brock JH (May 1992). "Biological role of lactoferrin". Archives of Disease in Childhood. 67 (5): 657–61. doi:10.1136/adc.67.5.657. PMC 1793702. PMID 1599309.
- ^ Ashraf MF, Zubair D, Arain MA (2023). "Nutraceutical and Health-Promoting Potential of Lactoferrin, an Iron-Binding Protein in Human and Animal: Current Knowledge". Biological Trace Element Research. 202 (1): 56–72. doi:10.1007/s12011-023-03658-4. PMC 10104436. PMID 37059920.
- ^ Levin RE, Kalidas S, Gopinadhan P, Pometto A (2006). Food biotechnology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC/Taylor & Francis. p. 1028. ISBN 978-0-8247-5329-0.
- ^ Pursel VG (1998). "Modification of Production Traits". In Clark AJ (ed.). Animal Breeding: Technology for the 21st Century (Modern Genetics). Boca Raton: CRC. p. 191. ISBN 978-90-5702-292-0.
- ^ Ali AS, Hasan SS, Kow CS, Merchant HA (October 2021). "Lactoferrin reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials" (PDF). Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. 45: 26–32. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.08.019. PMID 34620326. S2CID 238475090.
- ^ "Lactoferrin supplements could aid in the recovery of COVID19 & other Respiratory Tract Infections". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 2022-02-18.