Lactoferrin protein can be a promising tool against COVID-19, the specialists of Michigan University found out. More about this they told in the article in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Researchers used cultures of human cells, which before and after SARS-COV-2 infection were treated with more than 1400 drugs and individual connections, and then analyzed the results using a neural network. So they managed to detect 17 potential candidates for funds against COVID-19. Seven of them, including already approved for the use of Remidesivir, were already considered in this capacity in other similar studies.
Scientists tested these compounds on different types of cells, including human lung cells to simulate SARS-COV-2 infection in the respiratory tract. Nine of them showed antiviral activity. Lactiferrin coped with the task, the protein contained in breast milk, which is also sold as a dietary supplement obtained from cow’s milk.
Laktorrin – one of the components of the body’s immune system, plays a role in the work of non-specific humoral immunity, regulates the functions of immunocompetent cells. It has already been established that it is able to associate antigens of viral nature, including lactoferrin proved to be effective against cytomegalovirus, HIV and other pathogens – True, mainly in laboratory conditions.
The development of new drugs can be delayed for many years, researchers say, therefore the search for effective drugs among already existing is a profitable strategy, the researchers emphasize. In the near future, the team is going to check whether lactoferrin will be effective in real conditions in the treatment of patients with SARS-COV-2. It is also necessary to find out how much it is able to withstand the coronavirus delta strain.