Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

Immunofluorescence to Monitor the Cellular Uptake of Human Lactoferrin and its Associated Antiviral Activity Against the Hepatitis C Virus
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Immunofluorescence to Monitor the Cellular Uptake of Human Lactoferrin and its Associated Antiviral Activity Against the Hepatitis C Virus

Published on: October 1, 2015

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Lactoferrin: A Critical Mediator of Both Host Immune Response and Antimicrobial Activity in Response to Streptococcal

Jacky Lu1, Jamisha Francis1, Ryan S Doster2

  • 1Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.

ACS Infectious Diseases
|April 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Lactoferrin, an innate immune protein, combats streptococcal infections by limiting iron availability and modulating inflammation. This review explores recent research on lactoferrin

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Streptococcal species cause numerous human diseases, including sepsis and pneumonia.
  • The host innate immune system utilizes antimicrobial molecules to combat infections.
  • Lactoferrin is a key immune protein produced during streptococcal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent research on the interaction between lactoferrin and Streptococcus.
  • To highlight lactoferrin's antimicrobial and immune-modulating functions against streptococci.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of published studies.
  • Analysis of lactoferrin's mechanisms of action against Streptococcus.
  • Examination of lactoferrin's role in host immune response.

Main Results:

  • Lactoferrin exhibits antimicrobial activity by sequestering iron, essential for bacterial growth.
  • Lactoferrin can modulate the host inflammatory response during streptococcal infections.
  • Recent studies elucidate novel interactions between lactoferrin and various streptococcal species.

Conclusions:

  • Lactoferrin is a critical component of the innate immune defense against streptococcal pathogens.
  • Understanding lactoferrin-pathogen interactions can inform therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research is needed to fully harness lactoferrin's potential in treating streptococcal diseases.
Keywords:
antimicrobialbacteriainfectioninfectious diseaseinnate immunityironlactoferrinnutritional immunitypathogenesisstreptococcusvirulence

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