Reciprocal Interactions Between Lactoferrin and Bacterial Endotoxins and Their Role in the Regulation of the Immune Response

Overview

Journal Toxins (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Toxicology

Date 2011 Nov 10

PMID 22069546

Citations 19

Authors

Daniela Latorre

Patrizia Puddu

Piera Valenti

Sandra Gessani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein expressed in most biological fluids, represents a major component of the mammalian innate immune system. Lf's multiple activities rely not only on its capacity to bind iron, but also to interact with molecular and cellular components of both host and pathogens. Lf can bind and sequester lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thus preventing pro-inflammatory pathway activation, sepsis and tissue damage. However, Lf-bound LPS may retain the capacity to induce cell activation via Toll-like receptor 4-dependent and -independent mechanisms. This review discusses the complex interplay between Lf and LPS and its relevance in the regulation of the immune response.

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