The CXCR1/CXCR2 Inhibitor Reparixin Alters the Development of Myelofibrosis in the Mice.

A major role for human (h)CXCL8 (interleukin-8) in the pathobiology of myelofibrosis (MF) has been suggested by observations indicating that MF megakaryocytes express increased levels of hCXCL8 and that plasma levels of this cytokine in MF patients are predictive of poor patient outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that, in addition to high levels of TGF-β, the megakaryocytes from the bone marrow of the mouse model of myelofibrosis express high levels of murine (m)CXCL1, the murine equivalent of hCXCL8, and its receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. Treatment with the CXCR1/R2 inhibitor, Reparixin in aged-matched mice demonstrated reductions in bone marrow and splenic fibrosis.

Proteolytic activity of bovine lactoferrin.

Bovine lactoferrin catalyzes the hydrolysis of synthetic substrates (i.e., Z-aminoacyl-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin).

Antiviral activity of ovotransferrin discloses an evolutionary strategy for the defensive activities of lactoferrin.

Ovotransferrin (formerly conalbumin) is an iron-binding protein present in birds. It belongs to the transferrin family and shows about 50% sequence homology with mammalian serum transferrin and lactoferrin. This protein has been demonstrated to be capable of delivering iron to cells and of inhibiting bacterial multiplication.

Anti-invasive activity of bovine lactoferrin towards group A streptococci.

Group A streptococci (GAS) are able to invade cultured epithelial and endothelial cells without evidence of intracellular replication. GAS, like other facultative intracellular bacterial pathogens, evolved such ability to enter and to survive within host cells avoiding the host defences, and bacterial intracellular survival could explain the recurrence of infections. We report here that 1 mg bovine lactoferrin (bLf)/mL significantly hindered the in vitro invasion of cultured epithelial cells by GAS isolated from patients suffering from pharyngitis and completely inhibited the invasiveness of GAS pretreated with subinhibiting concentrations of erythromycin or ampicillin.