Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) is known to have broad spectrum antimicrobial properties. In regards to its defense mechanism against parasitic infection, it has shown phagocytic activity in the destruction of amastigotes, an intracellular parasitic form of Trypanosoma cruzi in macrophages. The effect of bovine lactoferrin on the intracellular growth Toxoplasma gondii parasites was examined in murine macrophage and embryonal cells. Co-cultures of host cells with the parasites were supplemented with either lactoferrin, apo-lactoferrin, holo-lactoferrin or transferrin in the culture media for varying periods. The growth activity of intracellular parasites in the host cells was determined by the measurement of selective incorporation of 3H-uracil. Supplement of lactoferrin had no effect on the penetration activity of the parasites, while development of intracellular parasites was inhibited linearly in concentration of lactoferrin. Supplement of apo-lactoferrin and holo-lactoferrin, but not transferrin showed similar effects. These suggest that lactoferrin induces the inhibitory effects on the development of intracellular parasites. Pretreatment of lactoferrin to the macrophages, however, did not show any inhibitory effects. Whereas, mouse embryonal cells preincubated with lactoferrin suppressed the intracellular growth. Thus, the action of lactoferrin to macrophages would be different from that of mouse embryonal cells.
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