Abstract
Introduction: Lactoferrin (Lf) is a protein in the transfer-rin family with many biological functions. One novel activity of lactoferrin described recently is its regulatory function in bone morphogenesis. Lactoferrin has been shown to promote the growth, development, and differentiation of osteoblasts as well as to decrease osteoclast survival. Lactoferrin receptors (LfRs) mediate the multiple functions of lactoferrin. This review focuses on LfRs associated with bone and the intestines. The best known LfR is small intestine LfR (intelectin), which facilitates iron absorption and iron metabolism in humans. Many data from in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that lactoferrin promotes bone formation by increasing the proliferation of osteoblasts and the ability of cells to synthesize and mineralize the bone matrix. Lactoferrin additionally inhibits osteoclastogenesis, reducing the number of osteoclasts and thus bone resorption. Lactoferrin, with its numerous antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and also osteogenic properties has found a number of applications in contemporary dentistry, especially in dental surgery, in periodontology, and in pedodontics.
Summary: This review presents and in vivo in vitro studies demonstrating the osteogenic and anti-inflammatory activity of Lf and its practical application in oral surgery and dentistry.