Lactoferrin: A Glycoprotein Involved in Immunomodulation, Anticancer, and Antimicrobial Processes
Quintín Rascón-Cruz,
Edward A. Espinoza-Sánchez,
Tania S. Siqueiros-Cendón,
Sayuri I. Nakamura-Bencomo,
Sigifredo Arévalo-Gallegos,
Blanca F. Iglesias-Figueroa
Affiliations
Quintín Rascón-Cruz
Laboratorio de Biotecnología I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario s/n Campus Universitario 2, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Mexico
Edward A. Espinoza-Sánchez
Laboratorio de Biotecnología I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario s/n Campus Universitario 2, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Mexico
Tania S. Siqueiros-Cendón
Laboratorio de Biotecnología I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario s/n Campus Universitario 2, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Mexico
Sayuri I. Nakamura-Bencomo
Laboratorio de Biotecnología I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario s/n Campus Universitario 2, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Mexico
Sigifredo Arévalo-Gallegos
Laboratorio de Biotecnología I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario s/n Campus Universitario 2, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Mexico
Blanca F. Iglesias-Figueroa
Laboratorio de Biotecnología I, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario s/n Campus Universitario 2, Chihuahua C.P. 31125, Mexico
Lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein with multiple roles in the body. Its participation in apoptotic processes in cancer cells, its ability to modulate various reactions of the immune system, and its activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms, including respiratory viruses, have made it a protein of broad interest in pharmaceutical and food research and industry. In this review, we have focused on describing the most important functions of lactoferrin and the possible mechanisms of action that lead to its function.
