BACKGROUND: Liver diseases, caused by viral infection, autoimmune conditions, alcohol ingestion or the use of certain drugs, are a significant health issue, as many can develop into liver failure. Lactoferrin (Lac) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family. Owing to its multiple biological functions, Lac has been evaluated in a number of clinical trials to treat infections, inflammation and cancer. AIM: The present study aims to reveal a profound hepatoprotective effect of Lac, using a mouse model of Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis, which mimics the pathophysiology of human viral and autoimmune hepatitis. METHOD: C57Bl/6J mice were injected with bovine Lac following Con A challenge. The effects of Lac on interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 expression were determined. The roles of Lac on T-cell apoptosis and activation, and leukocytes infiltration were examined. RESULT: The data demonstrated that the protective effect of Lac was attributed to its ability to inhibit T-cell activation and production of IFN-gamma, as well as to suppress IL-4 production by hepatic natural killer T cells. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a great therapeutic potential of Lac in treating in treating inflammatory hepatitis and possibly other inflammatory diseases.
BACKGROUND:Liver diseases, caused by viral infection, autoimmune conditions, alcohol ingestion or the use of certain drugs, are a significant health issue, as many can develop into liver failure. Lactoferrin (Lac) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family. Owing to its multiple biological functions, Lac has been evaluated in a number of clinical trials to treat infections, inflammation and cancer. AIM: The present study aims to reveal a profound hepatoprotective effect of Lac, using a mouse model of Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis, which mimics the pathophysiology of human viral and autoimmune hepatitis. METHOD: C57Bl/6J mice were injected with bovineLac following Con A challenge. The effects of Lac on interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 expression were determined. The roles of Lac on T-cell apoptosis and activation, and leukocytes infiltration were examined. RESULT: The data demonstrated that the protective effect of Lac was attributed to its ability to inhibit T-cell activation and production of IFN-gamma, as well as to suppress IL-4 production by hepatic natural killer T cells. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a great therapeutic potential of Lac in treating in treating inflammatory hepatitis and possibly other inflammatory diseases.
Authors: Wheverton C Nascimento; Roeckson P Silva; Erica S Fernandes; Maria C Silva; Gabriela C Holanda; Patrícia A Santos; Mônica P Albuquerque; Vlaudia A Costa; Nicodemos T Pontes-Filho; Valdênia O Souza Journal: Parasitol Res Date: 2014-06-21 Impact factor: 2.289
Authors: Hao Yin; Chun-Qing Song; Sneha Suresh; Qiongqiong Wu; Stephen Walsh; Luke Hyunsik Rhym; Esther Mintzer; Mehmet Fatih Bolukbasi; Lihua Julie Zhu; Kevin Kauffman; Haiwei Mou; Alicia Oberholzer; Junmei Ding; Suet-Yan Kwan; Roman L Bogorad; Timofei Zatsepin; Victor Koteliansky; Scot A Wolfe; Wen Xue; Robert Langer; Daniel G Anderson Journal: Nat Biotechnol Date: 2017-11-13 Impact factor: 54.908
Authors: K Mangano; P Fagone; M Di Mauro; E Ascione; V Maiello; T Milicic; A Jotic; N M Lalic; T Saksida; I Stojanovic; C Selmi; C Farina; S Stosic-Grujicic; P Meroni; F Nicoletti Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2012-09 Impact factor: 4.330