Lactoferrin

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Lactoferrin (LF), also known as lactotransferrin (LTF), is a multifunctional protein found in milk and mucus which is encoded by the LTF gene in humans. It functions as an antimicrobial protein and affects the body's immune response in a complex way, with both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Lactoferrin is part of the transferrin family. It is a globular glycoprotein with a molecular mass of about 80 kDa that is widely represented in various secretory fluids, such as milk, saliva, tears, and nasal secretions. Lactoferrin is also present in secondary granules of PMNs and is secreted by some acinar cells. Lactoferrin can be purified from milk or produced recombinantly. Human colostrum ("first milk") has the highest concentration, followed by human milk, then cow milk (150 mg/L). Lactoferrin is one of the components of the immune system of the body; it has antimicrobial activity (bacteriocide, fungicide) and is part of the innate defense, mainly at mucosas. It is constantly produced and...

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