Protective Effects of Lactoferrin against SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro

• Main Authors: Claudio Salaris, Melania Scarpa, Marina Elli, Alice Bertolini, Simone Guglielmetti, Fabrizio Pregliasco, Corrado Blandizzi, Paola Brun, Ignazio Castagliuolo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: lactoferrin; SARS-CoV-2; antiviral immunity; COVID-19
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/2/328

SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerging virus that currently lacks curative treatments. Lactoferrin (LF) is a naturally occurring non-toxic glycoprotein with broad-spectrum antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we assessed the potential of LF in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. Antiviral immune response gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR in uninfected Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells treated with LF. An infection assay for SARS-CoV-2 was performed in Caco-2 cells treated or not with LF. SARS-CoV-2 titer was determined by qRT-PCR, plaque assay and immunostaining. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production was determined by qRT-PCR. LF significantly induced the expression of <i>IFNA1</i>, <i>IFNB1</i>, <i>TLR3</i>, <i>TLR7</i>, <i>IRF3</i>, <i>IRF7</i> and <i>MAVS</i> genes. Furthermore, LF partially inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication in Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. Our in vitro data support LF as an immune modulator of the antiviral immune response with moderate effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.