Lactoferrin: A Biologically Active Molecule for Bone Regeneration

Authors: A. Amini, A.; S. Nair, L.

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 18, Number 8, March 2011 , pp. 1220-1229(10)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Lactoferrin, a member of the “Siderophilin” family, is an iron binding glycoprotein. Lactoferrin is produced by various exocrine glands in our body and is abundantly present in milk and colostrums. The uniqueness of lactoferrin as a skeletal regenerative molecule lies in its ability to favorably modulate the responses of the various cell types involved in musculoskeletal regeneration. Lactoferrin exhibits pleiotropic functions and recent studies indicate that lactoferrin promotes the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells and inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Human lactoferrin is also known to promote neovascularization. This review aims to summarize the most recent studies on lactoferrin focusing on its anabolic effect to bone tissue and the ability to modulate immune responses with specific focus on osteoimmunology.

Keywords: lactoferrin; bone regeneration; immunoregulation; angiogenesis; Siderophilin; glycoprotein; skeletal tissue; glycosylation; osteoclastogenesis; immuno-expression

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986711795029744

Publication date: 2011-03-01

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Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.