Antimicrobial Activity of Lactoferrin-Related Peptides and Applications in Human and Veterinary Medicine.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a vast array of molecules produced by virtually all living organisms as natural barriers against infection. Among AMP sources, an interesting class regards the food-derived bioactive agents. The whey protein lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that plays a significant role in the innate immune system, and is considered as an important host defense molecule. In search for novel antimicrobial agents, Lf offers a new source with potential pharmaceutical applications. The Lf-derived peptides Lf(1-11), lactoferricin (Lfcin) and lactoferrampin exhibit interesting and more potent antimicrobial actions than intact protein. Particularly, Lfcin has demonstrated strong antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiparasitic activity with promising applications both in human and veterinary diseases (from ocular infections to osteo-articular, gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases).
Istituto Farmaceutico Candioli, Beinasco (To) 10092, Italy. natascia.bruni@candioli.it.
Natascia
N
Bruni
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10095, Italy. mariateresa.capucchio@unito.it.
Maria Teresa
MT
Capucchio
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10095, Italy. elena.biasibetti@unito.it.
Elena
E
Biasibetti
Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino 10123, Italy. enrica.pessione@unito.it.
Enrica
E
Pessione
Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Torino 10123, Italy. simona.cirrincione@unito.it.
Simona
S
Cirrincione
Istituto Farmaceutico Candioli, Beinasco (To) 10092, Italy. leonardo.giraudo@candioli.it.
Leonardo
L
Giraudo
Ambulatorio Veterinario Associato, Torino 10135, Italy. antonio@ambulatorioveterinario.eu.
Antonio
A
Corona
Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, Torino 10125, Italy. franco.dosio@unito.it.
Franco
F
Dosio
D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019155:Veterinary Drugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D019155:Veterinary Drugs; D007781:Lactoferrin
antimicrobial peptides; food safety; lactoferricin; milk proteins