Lactoferrin inhibits human BK polyomavirus adsorption to Vero cells

摘要

BK virus (BKV) is a human naked polyomavirus responsible for productive, persistent, and latent infections of the urinary tract. The presence of its DNA has been revealed in various tumors. The severity of BKV infection in immunocompromised hosts has improved the search for selective antiviral agents, but hitherto only few effective compounds have been identified. Lactoferrin (Lf), a member of the transferrin family, is a biglobular iron-binding glycoprotein found in milk, exocrine secretions of mammals, and in secondary granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophiles. Lf was established as playing an important role in the defence against various pathogenic microorganisms. Previously, we demonstrated that Lf is a potent inhibitor of infection by some enveloped and naked viruses in different cell systems.