Lactoferrin: Balancing Ups and Downs of Inflammation Due to Microbial Infections.

ABSTRACT: Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein of the primary innate immune-defense system of mammals present in milk and other mucosal secretions. This protein of the transferrin family has broad antimicrobial properties by depriving pathogens from iron, or disrupting their plasma membranes through its highly cationic charge. Noteworthy, Lf also exhibits immunomodulatory activities performing up- and down-regulation of innate and adaptive immune cells, contributing to the homeostasis in mucosal surfaces exposed to myriad of microbial agents, such as the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Although the inflammatory process is essential for the control of invasive infectious agents, the development of an exacerbated or chronic inflammation results in tissue damage with life-threatening consequence

SUBMITTER: Drago-Serrano ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5372517 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature