Lactoferrin Functionalized Biomaterials: Tools for Prevention of Implant-Associated Infections

Abstract

Tissue engineering is one of the most important biotechnologies in the biomedical field. It requires the application of the principles of scientific engineering in order to design and build natural or synthetic biomaterials feasible for the maintenance of tissues and organs. Depending on the specific applications, the selection of the proper material remains a significant clinical concern. Implant-associated infection is one of the most severe complications in orthopedic implant surgeries. The treatment of these infections is difficult because the surface of the implant serves not only as a substrate for the formation of the biofilm, but also for the selection of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Therefore, a promising new approach for prevention of implant-related infection involves development of new implantable, non-antibiotic-based biomaterials. This review provides a brief overview of antimicrobial peptide-based biomaterials—especially those coated with lactoferrin.

Enhanced Bioactive Potential of Functionalized Injectable Platelet-Rich Plasma

“…Thus, we considered it appropriate to combine a platelet concentrate, namely iPRF, with a multifunctional iron glycoprotein, lactoferrin, to obtain an increased antimicrobial potential. Synthesized by the epithelial cells and neutrophils, Lf is a multifaceted iron binding bioactive globular protein [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 59 ]. In healthy organisms, lactoferrin is predominantly derived from neutrophils and has a concentration of 2−7 × 10 −6 g/mL [ 60 ].…”

“…The antimicrobial potential of platelet concentrates is acknowledged, and in some cases it is prominently lower than that of commonly used antibiotics, but there are studies which also show cumulative antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect in the case of combining antibiotics with platelet concentrates [ 5 , 33 ]. Human lactoferrin (Lf) is a bioactive globular protein from the transferrin family, produced by epithelial cells and neutrophils in various mammalian species [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Lf is a first-line defense protein [ 37 ] with multiple biological functions, namely antibacterial, antiviral, antitumoral, antifungal, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, and even displays analgesic and antioxidant properties [ 36 ].…”

“…Human lactoferrin (Lf) is a bioactive globular protein from the transferrin family, produced by epithelial cells and neutrophils in various mammalian species [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Lf is a first-line defense protein [ 37 ] with multiple biological functions, namely antibacterial, antiviral, antitumoral, antifungal, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, and even displays analgesic and antioxidant properties [ 36 ]. Taking into consideration the global increase in antimicrobial resistance, today’s strategies consist of identifying alternatives for the antimicrobial treatment [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Zinc Deprivation as a Promising Approach for Combating Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Pilot Study

“…The feasibility of limiting metal ions in the treatment and prevention of infection has been explored in the use of lactoferrin, which is an iron-binding glycoprotein, in the supportive treatment of H. pylori infections [24], prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infections [64,65] and ulcerative colitis [66]. Moreover, antimicrobial peptides (AMP) as lactoferrin have been used as a coating for dental, bone, and other medically used implants [67]. Therefore, to apply the findings of this study in clinical settings, we propose the use of either zincspecific chelating agents e.g., 1,10-phenanthroline or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, or recombinant AMP as recombinant calprotectin or metallothionein in the supportive treatment of topical infection.…”

NIR‐Responsive TiO2 Biometasurfaces: Toward In Situ Photodynamic Antibacterial Therapy for Biomedical Implants

“…Device‐associated infections have become the most severe complications of the orthopedic surgeries performed with implant materials, accounting for 25.6% of all health‐care‐associated infections in the USA. [ 2 ] The infections usually originate from microbial contamination, involving with bacterial adhesion, colonization, and biofilm formation. [ 3 ] Antibiotic treatment is the common strategy to prevent and treat the bacterial infections.…”