lactoferrin and Immune-System-Diseases

Currently, obesity-associated metabolic disturbances are envisioned as chronic inflammatory processes, characterized by activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. Although the features of chronic inflammation in obese subjects are clearly defined, the signals and mechanisms that trigger chronic inflammation are not well understood. Recent studies suggest an imbalance in circulating antimicrobial proteins as a possible cause of obesity-associated metabolic disturbances and insulin resistance. This imbalance promotes a relative failure in the capacity of buffering external insults and might cause the onset of chronic inflammation and immunologic alterations in obesity. Here, we review the current literature on the possible role of circulating antimicrobial proteins in obesity-associated immunologic alterations.

Topics: Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Lipocalins; Obesity

This study reported detailed clinical effects of bovine lactoferrin on 2 canine littermates (1 female and 1 male) with familial neutrophil dysfunction and an investigation of their genetic background. Clinical signs caused by severe upper respiratory bacterial infections were observed in these dogs. Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin for a long duration improved their clinical signs (severe uveitis in the female dog and coughing from pneumonia in the male dog). Their backcross dogs that have the same father didn't show clinical signs of bacterial infection. Neutrophil function tests revealed that the backcross dogs didn't have any disorders. It is likely that abnormal clinical signs are associated with neutrophil dysfunction in the colony, and the mother dog of these cases might be the genetic carrier of this dysfunction.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Immune System Diseases; Lactoferrin; Male; Neutrophils; Pedigree; Radiography; Respiratory Tract Infections

Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein present in neutrophils and exocrine secretions, plays important roles in host defense. Administration of bovine lactoferrin has been reported to modulate various neutrophil functions. We found a mixed-breed male dog with novel familial neutrophil dysfunction. The disorder was caused by a decrease of β2-integrin expression encoding CD18 without mutation. Antibiotics therapy alone did not influence a series of neutrophil functions in the same dog. We examined the effects of oral administration of bovine lactoferrin on the neutrophil function and clinical symptoms in the same dog. Oral chronic administration of bovine lactoferrin increased neutrophilic β2-integrin gene expression comparable to normal dogs, followed by the upregulation of surface CD18 expression. Concurrently, the superoxide production, phagocytic activity and adherence that were β2-integrin-related neutrophil functions increased to normal canine levels. The chronic inflammation from bacterial upper respiratory infections and pneumonia was also alleviated in the dog. Our results indicate that oral treatment with bovine lactoferrin increases neutrophil β2-integrin transcript level, leading to the upregulation of neutrophil functions and improvement of clinical symptoms in the dog with familial neutrophil dysfunction.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Cattle; CD18 Antigens; Cell Adhesion; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Immune System Diseases; Lactoferrin; Male; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis; RNA, Messenger; Superoxides; Up-Regulation

Examination of immunological status in patients with acute destructive pancreatitis with uncomplicated (14 patients) and complicated (infectious-inflammatory processes--18 patients) postoperative period illustrated depression of T- and B-links of immunity, reduction of absolute and relative number of TFU- and TFC-lymphocytes. All the patients demonstrated reliable elevation of phagocytic rate, phagocytic index and number of circulating immune complexes. These changes were more significant in patients with complicated postoperative period. Level of lactoferrin in patients with complicated period was by 10% higher than in patients without complications. Significant elevation of tumor necrosis factor Ia in blood was registered in patients of both groups. During all the periods of examination the level of interleukin-8 was higher in patients with complicated postoperative period than in the patients with favorable postoperative period. This interleukin-8 is a reliable marker of postoperative complications in acute destructive pancreatitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Antigen-Antibody Complex; B-Lymphocytes; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Immunoglobulins; Interleukin-8; Lactoferrin; Lymphocyte Count; Pancreatitis; Postoperative Period; T-Lymphocytes; Time Factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha