An Overview on the Antiviral Activity of Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a glycoprotein present in most biological fluids which exerts a plethora of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral and antiviral activities. The antiviral effect of Lf has been demonstrated against a broad range of RNA and DNA viruses that infect humans and animals. The mechanism underlying this activity is complex, multifaceted, and not yet fully characterized. To date, it is generally accepted that Lf prevents entry of virus in the host cells either by blocking cellular receptors or by direct binding to the viral particles. This paper summarizes the current knowledge about the antiviral mode of action of Lf.