Biological activity of lactoferrin-functionalized biomimetic hydroxyapatite nanocrystals

• Published in: International journal of nanomedicine Vol. 9; no. Issue 1; pp. 1175 - 1184
• Main Authors: Nocerino, Nunzia, Fulgione, Andrea, Iannaccone, Marco, Tomasetta, Laura, Ianniello, Flora, Martora, Francesca, Lelli, Marco, Roveri, Norberto, Capuano, Federico, Capparelli, Rosanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2014; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antibacterial agents; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Antioxidants - chemistry; Antioxidants - pharmacology; biological activity; Biomimetic Materials - chemistry; Biomimetic Materials - pharmacology; biomimetism; Cattle; Cell Line, Tumor; drug delivery; Durapatite - chemistry; Gram-Negative Bacteria - drug effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria - drug effects; Humans; hydroxyapatite nanocrystals; Immunologic Factors - chemistry; Immunologic Factors - pharmacology; lactoferrin; Lactoferrin - chemistry; Lactoferrin - pharmacology; Lactoferrins; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanocomposites - chemistry; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; Original Research; Physiological aspects; Properties; Italy; lactoferrin; hydroxyapatite nanocrystals; biological activity; drug delivery; biomimetism
• ISSN: 1178-2013; 1176-9114; 1178-2013
• DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s55060

The emergence of bacterial strains resistant to antibiotics is a general public health problem. Progress in developing new molecules with antimicrobial properties has been made. In this study, we evaluated the biological activity of a hybrid nanocomposite composed of synthetic biomimetic hydroxyapatite surface-functionalized by lactoferrin (LF-HA). We evaluated the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of LF-HA and found that the composite was active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and that it modulated proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses and enhanced antioxidant properties as compared with LF alone. These results indicate the possibility of using LF-HA as an antimicrobial system and biomimetic hydroxyapatite as a candidate for innovative biomedical applications.