title: Lactoferrin structure and functions.
abstract: Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family that is expressed in most biological fluids and is a major component of mammals' innate immune system. Its protective effect ranges from direct antimicrobial activities against a large panel of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, to anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. This plethora of activities is made possible by mechanisms of action implementing not only the capacity of Lf to bind iron but also interactions of Lf with molecular and cellular components of both host and pathogens. This chapter summarizes our current understanding of the Lf structure-function relationships that explain the roles of Lf in host defense.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fontionnelle, UMR 8576 du CNRS, IFR 147, Université des Sciences et des Technologies de Lille, F-59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France. dominique.legrand@univ-lille1.fr
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Legrand
authors.forename: Annick
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elass
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carpentier
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mariller
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazurier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007781:Lactoferrin