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Lactoferrin is required for early B cell development in C57BL/6 mice
Lingyu Wei1,2,3,4, Can Liu2, Jia Wang3
1Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China.
Journal of Hematology & Oncology
|April 8, 2021
Summary
Lactoferrin is crucial for early B cell development in mice, impacting B cell numbers and antibody production. Supplementation may benefit B cell-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Lactoferrin (Lf) is a multifunctional protein found in mammalian secretions.
- Its roles in immune regulation, bacteriostasis, and antiviral activity are established.
Discussion:
- Lactoferrin deficiency arrests B cell development at the pre-pro-B to pro-B stage.
- Reduced stromal cells and CXCL12 expression in lactoferrin-deficient mice create an unfavorable microenvironment.
- Aberrant ERK/AKT signaling and transcription factor activity underlie impaired B cell differentiation.
Key Insights:
- Lactoferrin is essential for normal B cell development and antibody production.
- Lactoferrin-deficient mice exhibit exacerbated symptoms in a lupus model.
- Lactoferrin treatment ameliorates lupus symptoms in mice.
Outlook:
- Lactoferrin plays a novel role in early B cell development.
- Lactoferrin shows potential therapeutic benefits for B cell-related autoimmune diseases.
