Anti-Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is an iron–binding protein with a physiological antimicrobial effect. It is a non-specific anti-inflammatory protection factor on the surface of the mucous membranes. Lactoferrin is present in secretions such as milk, lacrimal fluid and saliva. Lactoferrin is also present in granules of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMN).

Elevated serum lactoferrin levels are determined by active inflammatory processes. Autoantibodies to lactoferrin belong to the pANCA antibody group. Autoantibodies to lactoferrin are found with high frequency in patients with rheumatoid vasculitis, ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.