Lactoferrin in human neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes in relation to iron metabolism.

Lactoferrin (LF), the iron-binding protein of external secretions and neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), was studied in 27 patients during granulocytosis caused by acute inflammation and in disorders without granulocytosis (iron deficiency anemia, iron overload and liver diseases). During granulocytosis the LF concentration of PMN was significantly lower than in controls (p less than 0.001). This difference proved to be related to the number of PMN. A relation between the LF concentration of PMN and iron metabolism could be demonstrated: loss of iron by blood donation is accompanied by a significant decrease in the LF concentration in PMN, whereas iron therapy in patients with iron deficiency anemia is accompanied by a significant increase in the LF concentration in PMN.