Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding milk glycoprotein that promotes the growth of selected probiotic strains. The effect of Lf on the growth and diversification of intestinal microbiota may have an impact on several issues, including (i) strengthening the permeability of the epithelial cell monolayer, (ii) favoring the microbial antagonism that discourages the colonization and proliferation of enteric pathogens, (iii) enhancing the growth and maturation of cell-monolayer components and gut nerve fibers, and (iv) providing signals to balance the anti- and pro-inflammatory responses resulting in gut homeostasis. Given the beneficial role of probiotics, this contribution aims to review the current properties of bovine and human Lf and their derivatives in in vitro probiotic growth and Lf interplay with microbiota described in the piglet model. By using Lf as a component in pharmacological products, we may enable novel strategies that promote probiotic growth while conferring antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant microorganisms that cause life-threatening diseases, especially in neonates.
Highlights
Bovine and human milk contains a wide array of bioactive components, including the iron-binding glycoprotein known as lactoferrin (Lf)
Milk is an enriched source of Lf; in addition, it becomes a source of lactoferricin (Lfcin), which is a peptide derived from the Lf N-terminus by gastric pepsin digestion that show antimicrobial activity against pathogens [4]
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) is able to use a wide array of glycans and oligosaccharides from human milk [42], whereas all strains ferment monomeric oligosaccharides, i.e., Glc and Gal, only B. infantis and B. breve ferment GlcNAc, Fuc, and sialic acid [42]
Summary
Bovine and human milk contains a wide array of bioactive components, including the iron-binding glycoprotein known as lactoferrin (Lf) This protein displays antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities that contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis and to the control of life-threatening diseases in the intestine of consumers, mainly in neonates [1]. Lf and Lfcin inhibit the growth of gut-beneficial microorganisms, but intriguingly, both Lf and Lfcin enhance the growth of certain selected probiotic strains such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli or they not at all have effects on their growth [7] These effects may result from the physicochemical properties of probiotic surface components and secreted enzymes that favor the growth-stimulating activity of Lf over its antimicrobial effects [8,9,10,11]. Having in mind the pivotal role of probiotics and indigenous bacteria in intestinal homeostasis, this contribution aims to review the current properties of bovine and human Lf and their derivatives on in vitro probiotic growth; the interplay of Lf with gut microbiota described in clinical trials and piglets is included
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