title: Prophylactic effect of human lactoferrin against Streptococcus mutans bacteremia in lactoferrin knockout mice.
abstract: Streptococcus mutans is the primary agent of dental caries, which is often detected in transient bacteremia. Lactoferrin is a multifunctional glycoprotein showing antibacterial activities against several Streptococcus species. We reported here the prophylactic effect of human lactoferrin (hLF) in a lactoferrin knockout mouse (LFKO-/-) bacteremic model. The hLF treatment significantly cleared S. mutans from the blood and organs of bacteremic mice when compared to the non-hLF treated mice. Further, analysis of serum cytokines, spleen and liver cytokine mRNA levels revealed that hLF prophylaxis modulates their release differently when compared to the non-hLF treated group. C-reactive protein level (P = 0.003) also decreased following hLF prophylaxis in S. mutans induced bacteremic mice. Additional quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that hLF prophylaxis significantly decreased the expression level of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MPO and iNOS in spleen and liver. These results suggested that the hLF protects the host against S. mutans-induced experimental bacteremia.
authors.affiliation: RUTGERS School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Senthil Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Velusamy
authors.affiliation: RUTGERS School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.affiliation: RUTGERS School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, USA. Electronic address: velliyka@sdm.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Kabilan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Velliyagounder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D007377:Interleukin-3; D015850:Interleukin-6; C490098:LTF protein, human; C552902:Ltf protein, mouse; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C404145:myelopoietin; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; D007781:Lactoferrin
keywords: Bacteremia; Human lactoferrin; Prophylaxis; Streptococcus mutans