Antiviral activities of lactoferrin

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron binding glycoprotein that is present in several mucosal secretions. Many biological functions have been ascribed to LF. One of the functions of LF is the transport of metals, but LF is also an important component of the non-specific immune system, since LF has antimicrobi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antiviral Research 2001-12, Vol.52 (3), p.225-239
Main Authors: van der Strate, B.W.A, Beljaars, L, Molema, G, Harmsen, M.C, Meijer, D.K.F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents
Antimicrobial properties
Antiviral
Antiviral agents
Antiviral Agents - chemistry
Antiviral Agents - metabolism
Antiviral Agents - pharmacokinetics
Antiviral Agents - pharmacology
Biological and medical sciences
Glycoprotein
Humans
Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin - chemistry
Lactoferrin - metabolism
Lactoferrin - pharmacokinetics
Lactoferrin - pharmacology
Medical sciences
Milk - chemistry
Milk - virology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Virus Diseases - diet therapy
Virus Diseases - metabolism
Virus Diseases - virology
Virus Replication - drug effects
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron binding glycoprotein that is present in several mucosal secretions. Many biological functions have been ascribed to LF. One of the functions of LF is the transport of metals, but LF is also an important component of the non-specific immune system, since LF has antimicrobial properties against bacteria, fungi and several viruses. This review gives an overview of the present knowledge about the antiviral activities and, when possible, the antiviral modes of action of this protein. Lactoferrin displays antiviral activity against both DNA- and RNA-viruses, including rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, herpes viruses and HIV. The antiviral effect of LF lies in the early phase of infection. Lactoferrin prevents entry of virus in the host cell, either by blocking cellular receptors, or by direct binding to the virus particles.
ISSN:0166-3542
1872-9096
DOI:10.1016/S0166-3542(01)00195-4