Effects of in vitro lactoferricin and lactoferrin on the head kidney cells of European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax, L.)

• Published in: Veterinary immunology and immunopathology Vol. 130; no. 3; pp. 236 - 242
• Main Authors: Henry, Morgane A., Alexis, Maria N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.08.2009; Amsterdam: Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal Feed - adverse effects; animal tissues; Animals; anti-inflammatory agents; antimicrobial properties; Bactericidal activity; Bass - immunology; Bass - metabolism; cell respiration; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cellular viability; chemical concentration; Chemiluminescence; cultured cells; Dicentrarchus labrax; dosage; dose response; Escherichia coli - immunology; Escherichia coli - pathogenicity; feed additives; Food Additives - pharmacology; head kidney; immunomodulators; in vitro studies; In Vitro Techniques; Kidney - cytology; Kidney - drug effects; Kidney - immunology; Kidney - metabolism; lactoferricin; lactoferrin; Lactoferrin - administration & dosage; Lactoferrin - adverse effects; Lactoferrin - pharmacology; Luminescence; Marine; marine fish; mechanism of action; Respiratory Burst - drug effects; Teleost; viability; Teleost; HK; PTK; PKC; Chemiluminescence; MTT; Bactericidal activity; L15; ROS; LF; RLU; HBSS; Cellular viability
• ISSN: 0165-2427; 1873-2534
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2009.02.014

Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of lactoferrin have been demonstrated in mammals and in fish. However, in vivo, lactoferrin is digested by gastric pepsin treatment into the N-terminal derived peptide named lactoferricin. This has been so far overlooked in fish in vitro studies. The aim of the present study was to assess in vitro the effects of both lactoferricin and lactoferrin on the head kidney cells of European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) in order to determine their potential as dietary additives and to get some insight into their mode of action. In vitro lactoferricin decreased significantly the chemiluminescent response of head kidney cells but did not affect the zymosan-triggered chemiluminescence activity. On the other hand, a high concentration of lactoferrin directly stimulated chemiluminescence but reduced the zymosan-triggered chemiluminescence. The bactericidal activity of head kidney cells was also significantly diminished by pre-incubation with lactoferrin in a dose-dependent manner. Although no significant effect of lactoferricin or lactoferrin was evidenced on head kidney cellular viability, absent or negative effect on the priming of respiratory burst activity suggested that care should be taken when using lactoferrin in the diet of sea bass and high doses should be avoided. Hypotheses about the mechanisms of action of lactoferricin and lactoferrin are presented.