Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 04, 2024 1 month, 1 week, 5 days, 13 hours, 16 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Scientists from the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Comenius University have uncovered a promising new weapon against COVID-19: lactoferrin, a protein commonly found in milk. This
COVID-19 News report highlights how lactoferrin binds to the virus responsible for COVID-19, offering potential new treatments and preventive measures against the disease.
Researchers from Slovakia reveal how a protein in milk could combat COVID-19
Thailand Medical News had covered previously numerous studies that showed Lactoferrin could be used as an adjuvant in COVID-19 treatment protocols.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/numerous-studies-are-showing-that-lactoferrin-can-be-used-as-an-adjuvant-in-covid-19-treatment-protocols
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-scientists-find-that-the-otc-drug-diphenhydramine-when-paired-with-lactoferrin-could-be-a-new-therapeutic-for-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/lactoferrin-an-iron-binding-protein-with-antiviral-and-antibacterial-properties
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-sars-cov-2-infected-children-show-persisting-gastrointestinal-symptoms-over-18-months-lactoferrin-helps
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/numerous-studies-are-showing-that-lactoferrin-can-be-used-as-an-adjuvant-in-covid-19-treatment-protocols
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/must-read-immune-system-natural-protein-found-in-mother-s-milk-and-colostrum-called-lactoferrin-could-help-protect-against-various-viruses
Lactoferrin: A Natural Antiviral Agent
Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein present in human milk and other body fluids. It has gained attention for its wide-ranging health benefits, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory pro
perties. Importantly, LF and its derivative lactoferricin (LFC) have shown potential in reducing infections of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.
The research team, including Patrik Babulic, Ondrej Cehlar, Gabriela Ondrovičová, Tetiana Moskalets, Rostislav Skrabana, and Vladimir Leksa, discovered that LF can directly bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This binding could explain many of LF's protective effects against the virus.
Understanding the Binding Mechanism
The researchers used biochemical and biophysical methods to explore how LF interacts with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. They focused on the N-terminal region of LF and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein.
Key Findings:
LF can inhibit the spike protein from binding to ACE2 and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), which are receptors the virus uses to enter human cells.
The N-terminal region of LF, which includes lactoferricin, plays a crucial role in this binding process.
The binding was confirmed through in vitro binding assays and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments.
Potential Applications in COVID-19 Management
This study opens up new possibilities for using LF and LFC as therapeutic supplements to prevent or reduce SARS-CoV-2 infections. The researchers found that both human and bovine LF were effective in blocking the virus from attaching to its receptors. These findings suggest that LF could be developed into a cost-effective tool in the fight against COVID-19.
Detailed Study Insights
In their experiments, the team observed a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of spike protein binding with both human and bovine LF. This common inhibitory effect on various S-protein binders like ACE2, HSPG, and HSA (human serum albumin) indicates that LF's binding mechanism is robust and versatile.
To further understand the interaction, the researchers used synthetic LF-derived peptides from different regions of the protein. They found that the N-terminal peptide (pLF1) significantly reduced S-protein binding, while the C-terminal peptide (pLF3) had a partial effect. The helix-linker peptide (pLF2) showed no significant impact.
The SPR experiments revealed that LF binds more strongly to the full-length spike protein than to the RBD alone. This suggests that LF may target specific conformations of the spike protein that are crucial for virus entry into host cells.
Implications for Future Research and Treatment
The study's findings have several important implications:
-Supplement Development: LF and its derivatives could be developed into supplements to prevent COVID-19 infection or reduce its severity.
-Broad-Spectrum Antiviral: Given its ability to block other viruses, LF could be a broad-spectrum antiviral agent.
-In-Depth Mechanistic Studies: Future research could explore how LF interacts with different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.
Conclusion
The discovery that lactoferrin can bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and inhibit its interaction with human cell receptors is a significant breakthrough. This natural protein, already known for its health benefits, could become a vital part of the arsenal against COVID-19.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Pharmaceuticals.
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/8/1021
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/lactoferrin-a-new-player-in-the-world-of-aesthetics-and-skincare
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