title: Mini-review: Lactoferrin: a bioinspired, anti-biofilm therapeutic.
abstract: Medically relevant biofilms have gained a significant level of interest, in part because of the epidemic rise in obesity and an aging population in the developed world. The associated comorbidities of chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and diabetic foot wounds remain recalcitrant to the therapies available currently. Development of chronicity in the wound is due primarily to an inability to complete the wound healing process owing to the presence of a bioburden, specifically bacterial biofilms. New therapies are clearly needed which specifically target biofilms. Lactoferrin is a multifaceted molecule of the innate immune system found primarily in milk. While further investigation is warranted to elucidate mechanisms of action, in vitro analyses of lactoferrin and its derivatives have demonstrated that these complex molecules are structurally and functionally well suited to address the heterogeneity of bacterial biofilms. In addition, use of lactoferrin and its derivatives has proven promising in the clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA. mcammons@chemistry.montana.edu
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ammons
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Copié
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D014993:Xylitol / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D007781:Lactoferrin; D014993:Xylitol