Brain Lactoferrin: An Endogenous Peptide or Merely an Intruder

The focus of this review is on literature that deals with the effects of lactoferrin on the brain. This intriguing peptide has a large array of biological effects. This peptide is considered as part of the innate immune system with ipso facto defense properties. Produced from degranulation of neutrophils and other cells, it travels through circulation and crosses the blood brain barrier. Lactoferrin protein and mRNA are also express in key brain immune cells, the microglia. It is clearly established that upregulation of lactoferrin in the brain is usually associated with neuropathology. Considerable efforts have been directed toward studying the level of lactoferrin expression in different neurological diseases and aging. Nonetheless, pieces of the puzzle are still missing for a possible therapeutic use of this peptide in brain pathogenesis and repair.