Protective Effects of Lactoferrin against SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro

Salaris, Claudio; Scarpa, Melania; Elli, Marina; Bertolini, Alice; Guglielmetti, Simone; Pregliasco, F.; Blandizzi, Corrado; Brun, Paola; Castagliuolo, Ignazio

doi:10.3390/nu13020328

Cited by 82 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…In fact, during Huh 7 cell treatment with LF, up-regulation of the expression of several interferon-stimulated genes (MX1, ISG15, IFITM3, and RSAD2 that encodes radical S-adenosyl methionine domain-containing protein 2 also known as Viperin) was observed (Mirabelli et al, 2020). Similarly, although the addition of LF (100 µg/mL) induced a partial inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 multiplication in pre-infected Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, this protein significantly induced and upregulated the expression of many innate and adaptive immunity markers, such as IFNA1, IFNB1, TLR3, TLR7, IRF3, IRF7 and MAVS (Salaris et al, 2021). Based on this in vitro potential of bLF against SARS-CoV-2, the authors suggested that LF combined with Vitamin D will be valid adjuvant therapeutic tool for patients with COVID-19 (Salaris et al, 2021).…”

Section: Viral Neutralization (Extracellular Inhibition)mentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Similarly, although the addition of LF (100 µg/mL) induced a partial inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 multiplication in pre-infected Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, this protein significantly induced and upregulated the expression of many innate and adaptive immunity markers, such as IFNA1, IFNB1, TLR3, TLR7, IRF3, IRF7 and MAVS (Salaris et al, 2021). Based on this in vitro potential of bLF against SARS-CoV-2, the authors suggested that LF combined with Vitamin D will be valid adjuvant therapeutic tool for patients with COVID-19 (Salaris et al, 2021).…”

Section: Viral Neutralization (Extracellular Inhibition)mentioning

confidence: 96%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Natural resources to control COVID-19: could lactoferrin amend SARS-CoV-2 infectivity?

Mattar

Elrashdy

Almehdar

et al. 2021

PeerJ

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The world population is still facing the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such a challenge requires complicated tools to control, namely vaccines, effective cures, and complementary agents. Here we present one candidate for the role of an effective cure and/or complementary agent: lactoferrin. It is the cross-talking mediator between many organs/cellular systems in the body. It serves as a physiological, immunological, and anti-microbial barrier, and acts as a regulator molecule. Furthermore, lactoferrin has receptors on most tissues cells, and is a rich source for bioactive peptides, particularly in the digestive system. In the past months, in vitro and in vivo evidence has accumulated regarding lactoferrin’s ability to control SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in different indicated scenarios. Also, lactoferrin or whey milk (of human or other mammal’s origin) is a cheap, easily available, and safe agent, the use of which can produce promising results. Pharmaceutical and/or food supplementary formulas of lactoferrin could be particularly effective in controlling the gastrointestinal COVID-19-associated symptoms and could limit the fecal-oral viral infection transmission, through mechanisms that mimic that of norovirus infection control by lactoferrin via induction of intestinal innate immunity. This natural avenue may be effective not only in symptomatic patients, but could also be more helpful in asymptomatic patients as a main or adjuvant treatment.

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Section: Viral Neutralization (Extracellular Inhibition)mentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Viral Neutralization (Extracellular Inhibition)mentioning

confidence: 96%

Natural resources to control COVID-19: could lactoferrin amend SARS-CoV-2 infectivity?

Mattar

Elrashdy

Almehdar

et al. 2021

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the last year, there has been accumulating evidence from studies in vitro that bLf is active against SARS-CoV-2 [ 22 , 34 , 45 ]. BLf exerts its antiviral activity either by obscuring the host cell receptors [ 22 ] or by directly binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins [ 34 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ambulatory COVID-19 Patients Treated with Lactoferrin as a Supplementary Antiviral Agent: A Preliminary Study

Rosa

Tripepi

Naldi³

et al. 2021

JCM

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SARS-CoV-2, an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus causing COVID-19, exerts morbidity and mortality especially in elderly, obese individuals and those suffering from chronic conditions. In addition to the availability of vaccines and the limited efficacy of the first dose of vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants, there is an urgent requirement for the discovery and development of supplementary antiviral agents. Lactoferrin (Lf), a pleiotropic cationic glycoprotein of innate immunity, has been proposed as a safe treatment combined with other therapies in COVID-19 patients. Here, we present a small retrospective study on asymptomatic, paucisymptomatic, and moderate symptomatic COVID-19 Lf-treated versus Lf-untreated patients. The time required to achieve SARS-CoV-2 RNA negativization in Lf-treated patients (n = 82) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to that observed in Lf-untreated ones (n = 39) (15 versus 24 days). A link among reduction in symptoms, age, and Lf treatment was found. The Lf antiviral activity could be explained through the interaction with SARS-CoV-2 spike, the binding with heparan sulfate proteoglycans of cells, and the anti-inflammatory activity associated with the restoration of iron homeostasis disorders, which favor viral infection/replication. Lf could be an important supplementary treatment in counteracting SARS-CoV-2 infection, as it is also safe and well-tolerated by all treated patients.

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“…It may also inhibit SARS-CoV-2 by binding to some of the receptors required for viral entry, such as ACE2 and HSPGs ( 42 , 49 ). An in vitro study confirmed that lactoferrin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in Caco-2 cells ( 50 ). In addition, an in vivo study confirmed that lactoferrin accelerates SARS-CoV-2 RNA-negative conversion in patients with COVID-19 ( 51 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%