The antiviral activity of the milk protein lactoferrin against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Milk forms a rich source of biologically interesting components and the protein fraction is known to facilitate many different biological functions. In this manuscript, we review the antiviral properties of the milk protein lactoferrin (LF). In particular, we will describe its antiviral activity against the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

Antibacterial and antiviral effects of milk proteins and derivatives thereof.

Milk forms a rich source of biologically interesting components. In particular, its protein fraction is known to encompass many kinds of biological functions. In this review we focus on antibacterial and antiviral properties of milk proteins and milk protein derivatives.

Characterization of the anti-HIV effects of native lactoferrin and other milk proteins and protein-derived peptides.

In a search for natural proteins with anti-HIV activity, we screened a large set of purified proteins from bovine milk and peptide fragments thereof. Because several charged proteins and peptides are known to inhibit the process of virus entry, we selected proteins with an unusual charge composition or hydrophobicity profile. In contrast with some chemically modified (strongly negative) milk proteins, unmodified alpha(s2)-, beta- and kappa-casein, as well as several negatively and positively charged fragments thereof, did not show significant inhibition of virus replication.