Lactoferrin and oral pathologies: a therapeutic treatment

Abstract

The oral cavity is a non-uniform, extraordinary environment characterized by mucosal, epithelial, abiotic surfaces and secretions as saliva. Aerobic and anaerobic commensal and pathogenic microorganisms colonize the tongue, teeth, jowl, gingiva and periodontium. Commensals exert an important role in host defenses, while pathogenic microorganisms can nullify this protective function causing oral and systemic diseases. Every day, 750-1,000 ml of saliva, containing several host defense constituents including lactoferrin (Lf), are secreted and swallowed. 
 Lf is a multifunctional iron-chelating cationic glycoprotein of innate immunity. Depending on or regardless of its iron binding ability, Lf exerts bacteriostatic, bactericidal, anti-biofilm, anti-oxidant, anti-adhesive, anti-invasive and anti-inflammatory activities. 
 Here, we report the Lf protective role in different oral pathologies, such as xerostomia, halitosis, alveolar or maxillary bone damages, gingivitis, periodontitis and black stain. 
 Differently from antibiotic therapy, ineffective against bacteria living in biofilm, adherent and with intracellular lifestyle, Lf topical administration, through its simultaneous activity against microbial multiplication, biofilm, adhesion, invasion as well as inflammation, has been proven to be efficient in the treatment of all mentioned oral pathologies without any adverse effects.

Protein Cargo of Salivary Small Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Functional Signature of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Finally, the CLUSTER S/SEV OSCC_LNM was specifically associated to GO groups related to activities against pathogen agents, such as "metal sequestration by antimicrobial proteins" (associated to LCN2, LTF, S100A9-see Table 6 for the FC in S/SEV OSCC_LNM); "growth of symbiont in host" (associated to ELANE, MPO, PGLYRP1-see Table 6 for the FC in S/SEV OSCC_LNM); and "antimicrobial peptides" (associated to ELANE, GAPDH, LCN2, LTF, MPO, PGLYRP1, PI3, PRTN3, RNASE3, S100A12, S100A9-see Table 6 for the FC in S/SEV OSCC_LNM). Proteins of these groups, such as lactoferrin (LFT,), lipocalin-2 (LCN2), S100A9 (forming with S100A8 the heterodimeric complex calprotectin), neutrophil elastase (ELANE), peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), are widely described for their antibacterial activity or for their role as inflammatory markers [44][45][46][47][48]. The enrichment of these proteins in the S/SEVs from patients with OSCC_LNM could be indicative of dysbiotic signatures occurring during tumor progression.…”

Lactoferrin Can Attenuate SARS-CoV-2: An Analysis of Evidential Relations

“…The potential of Lf to engage with particular receptors on a wide range of immune cells, such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes, as well as epithelial cells. It indicates that Lf anti-inflammatory action could be responsible for the observed influence on modifying cytokine secretion by these cells primarily through receptor-mediated signaling mechanisms 105 . In a sheep model of allergic asthma caused by tryptase imbalances, several additional mechanisms by which Lf may inhibit the inflammatory reaction have been proposed, including the prevention of iron-catalyzed complimentary radical deterioration at areas of inflammation and the elimination of later stages airway blockage and hyperresponsiveness 60 .…”

Lactoferrin as Immune-Enhancement Strategy for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

“…The concentration of salivary hLf in healthy subjects ranges between 3.9 and 14.5 µg/ml ( 99 ) with mean values of 8.96 and 7.11 µg/ml in unstimulated and stimulated saliva, respectively as has been reported by authors ( 100 ). Salivary hLf concentration is also influenced by gender ( 34 ), age ( 101 , 102 ), and the physiological or pathological status of the subject ( 99 , 103 – 105 ). Concerning the pathological status of the subjects, a cross-sectional study showed that salivary hLf levels are decreased in patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD compared with age-matched healthy subjects ( 16 ), indicating a putative link between AD, the immune system, and brain infections.…”