Department of Neurosurgery, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China.
Department of Clinical Nursing, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 430011, P.R. China.
Int J Oncol. 2021 Nov;59(5). doi: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5265. Epub 2021 Sep 17.
Lactoferrin (Lf) is secreted by ectodermal tissue and has a structure similar to that of transferrin. Although Lf seems to be multifunctional, its main function is related to the natural defense system of mammals. The present review aims to highlight the major actions of Lf, including the regulation of cell growth, the inhibition of toxic compound formation, the removal of harmful free radicals and its important role in immune response regulation. Moreover, Lf has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer and anti‑inflammatory activities. In addition, the use of Lf for functionalization of drug nanocarriers, with emphasis on tumor‑targeted drug delivery, is illustrated. Such effects serve as an important theoretical basis for its future development and application. In neurodegenerative diseases and the brains of elderly people, Lf expression is markedly upregulated. Lf may exert an anti‑inflammatory effect by inhibiting the formation of hydroxyl free radicals. Through its antioxidant properties, Lf can prevent DNA damage, thereby preventing tumor formation in the central nervous system. In addition, Lf specifically activates the p53 tumor suppressor gene.
乳铁蛋白（Lf）由外胚层组织分泌，其结构与转铁蛋白相似。尽管 Lf 似乎具有多种功能，但它的主要功能与哺乳动物的天然防御系统有关。本综述旨在强调 Lf 的主要作用，包括调节细胞生长、抑制有毒化合物形成、清除有害自由基以及在免疫反应调节中的重要作用。此外，Lf 具有抗菌、抗病毒、抗氧化、抗癌和抗炎作用。此外，还说明了 Lf 在药物纳米载体的功能化中的应用，重点是肿瘤靶向药物递送。这些作用为其未来的开发和应用提供了重要的理论基础。在神经退行性疾病和老年人的大脑中，Lf 的表达明显上调。Lf 通过抑制羟自由基的形成发挥抗炎作用。通过其抗氧化特性，Lf 可以防止 DNA 损伤，从而预防中枢神经系统肿瘤的形成。此外，Lf 特异性激活 p53 肿瘤抑制基因。
