Lactoferrin inflammatory response

Lactoferrin, a protein found in secondary granules of polymorphonuclear cells, was observed to be mildly to moderately elevated in the stools of children with endemic cryptosporidiosis [91] and healthy adult volunteers with experimental infection [92], Indeed, in another study of malnourished children in Haiti, cryptosporidiosis was noted to stimulate an inflammatory response, as evidenced by elevated IL-8, TNF-a, lactoferrin, IL-13 and IL-10 [93]. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of inflammatory mediators in the development of prolonged diarrhea, malabsorption and malnutrition in immunocompromised hosts and children in endemic areas. 

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this proposed mechanism is the manner in which it correlates with recently-isolated lon-blndlng molecules called slderophores (129). The primary function of lactoferrin is to diminish the amount of extracellular free iron and thereby inhibit bacterial growth (130). Lactoferrin deposited by polymorphonuclear leukocytes is attached to the surface of monocytes and macrophages in inflammatory responses (130). Slderophores are synthesized by bacterial cells to sequester iron needed for growth, and... 

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