lactoferrin and Dermatitis

Skin wound healing is a complex biological process that requires the regulation of different cell types, including immune cells, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. It consists of 5 stages: hemostasis, inflammation, granulation tissue formation, re-epithelialization, and wound remodeling. While inflammation is essential for successful wound healing, prolonged or excess inflammation can result in nonhealing chronic wounds. Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein secreted from glandular epithelial cells into body fluids, promotes skin wound healing by enhancing the initial inflammatory phase. Lactoferrin also exhibits anti-inflammatory activity that neutralizes overabundant immune response. Accumulating evidence suggests that lactoferrin directly promotes both the formation of granulation tissue and re-epithelialization. Lactoferrin stimulates the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes and enhances the synthesis of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen and hyaluronan. In an in vitro model of wound contraction, lactoferrin promoted fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction. These observations indicate that lactoferrin supports multiple biological processes involved in wound healing.

Topics: Animals; Cell Adhesion; Cell Movement; Dermatitis; Humans; Lactoferrin; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Skin; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Wound Healing

Lactoferrin is a non-heme iron binding glycoprotein produced during lactation and by epithelial cells at mucosal surfaces. The protein is a prominent component of the first line of mammalian host defense and its expression is upregulated in response to inflammatory stimuli. In this paper, the antibacterial and immune modulatory properties of lactoferrin that contribute to host defense are reviewed. In addition, the results of recent preclinical and clinical studies demonstrating that lactoferrin acts as an inhibitor of dermal inflammatory cytokine production are summarized. The results indicate that lactoferrin may act as a potent anti-inflammatory protein at local sites of inflammation including the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cytokines; Dermatitis; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Immunity, Mucosal; Lactoferrin; Safety; Treatment Outcome