Biologically Active Substance
lactoferrin Audio
lac·to·fer·rin [ lak-tuh-fer-in ]
Definitions related to lactoferrin:
  • An iron-binding protein that was originally characterized as a milk protein. It is widely distributed in secretory fluids and is found in the neutrophilic granules of LEUKOCYTES. The N-terminal part of lactoferrin possesses a serine protease which functions to inactivate the TYPE III SECRETION SYSTEM used by bacteria to export virulence proteins for host cell invasion.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Iron binding protein found in the specific granules of neutrophils where it exerts an antimicrobial activity by withholding iron from ingested bacteria and fungi; occurs in many excretions and exudates.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
Try this search on: Farlex, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary, or Wordnik

This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.