title: Lactoferrin: Antimicrobial activity and therapeutic potential.
abstract: Lactoferrin is a highly conserved protein from an evolutionary perspective, with a wide range of roles related to protection from infection and promotion of nutritional status. Infection, malnutrition and intestinal pathologies are key inter-related problems, represent important threats to survival and are associated with adverse long-term health outcomes after preterm birth. Lactoferrin is available as a commercial extract from bovine milk and offers potential as a therapeutic intervention for preterm infants modulating infections and intestinal pathologies. In this review we explore the structure, direct antimicrobial effects, modification of host immune function and gastrointestinal effects of lactoferrin. Current trial data are reviewed, and research priorities and challenges identified and discussed.
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Neonatal Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK; Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Electronic address: nicholas.embleton@ncl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nicholas D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Embleton
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Neonatal Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK; Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Berrington
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health Research, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Cummings