Protective Effects of Lactoferrin Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2021 Jan 27

PMID 33498631

Citations 67

Authors

Claudio Salaris

Melania Scarpa

Marina Elli

Alice Bertolini

Simone Guglielmetti

Fabrizio Pregliasco

Corrado Blandizzi

Paola Brun

Ignazio Castagliuolo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerging virus that currently lacks curative treatments. Lactoferrin (LF) is a naturally occurring non-toxic glycoprotein with broad-spectrum antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we assessed the potential of LF in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Antiviral immune response gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR in uninfected Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells treated with LF. An infection assay for SARS-CoV-2 was performed in Caco-2 cells treated or not with LF. SARS-CoV-2 titer was determined by qRT-PCR, plaque assay and immunostaining. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by qRT-PCR. LF significantly induced the expression of , , , , , and genes. Furthermore, LF partially inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. Our in vitro data support LF as an immune modulator of the antiviral immune response with moderate effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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