Molecular mimicry of the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: from the interaction of spike-specific antibodies with transferrin and lactoferrin to the antiviral effects of human recombinant lactoferrin.

The pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection involves dysregulations of iron metabolism, and although the mechanism of this pathology is not yet fully understood, correction of iron metabolism pathways seems a promising pharmacological target. The previously observed effect of inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection by ferristatin II, an inducer of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) degradation, prompted the study of competition between Spike protein and TfR1 ligands, especially lactoferrin (Lf) and transferrin (Tf). We hypothesized molecular mimicry of Spike protein as cross-reactivity of Spike-specific antibodies with Tf and Lf.

Lactoferrin Induces Erythropoietin Synthesis and Rescues Cognitive Functions in the Offspring of Rats Subjected to Prenatal Hypoxia.

The protective effects of recombinant human lactoferrin rhLF (branded "CAPRABEL™") on the cognitive functions of rat offspring subjected to prenatal hypoxia (7% O, 3 h, 14th day of gestation) have been analyzed. About 90% of rhLF in CAPRABEL was iron-free (apo-LF). Rat dams received several injections of 10 mg of CAPRABEL during either gestation (before and after the hypoxic attack) or lactation.

Lactoferrin modified by hypohalous acids: Partial loss in activation of human neutrophils.

Previously we have shown that lactoferrin (LTF), a protein of secondary neutrophilic granules, can be efficiently modified by hypohalous acids (HOCl and HOBr), which are produced at high concentrations during inflammation and oxidative/halogenative stress by myeloperoxidase, an enzyme of azurophilic neutrophilic granules. Here we compared the effects of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLTF) and its halogenated derivatives (rhLTF-Cl and rhLTF-Br) on functional responses of neutrophils. Our results demonstrated that after halogenative modification, rhLTF lost its ability to induce mobilization of intracellular calcium, actin cytoskeleton reorganization, and morphological changes in human neutrophils.

Bovine lactoferrin and Lentinus edodes mycelia polysaccharide complex: The formation and the activity to protect islet β cells.

The formation of complexes may be used for the development of delivery systems in foods field. The aim of this study was to explore the interaction mechanism between Lentinus edodes mycelia polysaccharide (LMP) and bovine lactoferrin (BLF), and the activity of LMP-BLF complex to inhibit oxidative stress in islet β cells. The interaction mechanisms of LMP with BLF were investigated with multi-spectroscopic techniques.

Interaction of Lactoferrin with Unsaturated Fatty Acids: In Vitro and In Vivo Study of Human Lactoferrin/Oleic Acid Complex Cytotoxicity.

As shown recently, oleic acid (OA) in complex with lactoferrin (LF) causes the death of cancer cells, but no mechanism(s) of that toxicity have been disclosed. In this study, constitutive parameters of the antitumor effect of LF/OA complex were explored. Complex LF/OA was prepared by titrating recombinant human LF with OA.