NEUTROPENIA INDUCED BY SYSTEMIC INFUSION OF LACTOFERRIN

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 99  (6) , 866-872
Abstract
Rabbit granulocyte lactoferrin, when infused into hamsters or rabbits, induces transient neutropenia, and in hamsters the lactoferrin promotes adherence of the granulocytes to the endothelial cell wall [one of the initial responses characterizing the acute inflammatory state] as monitored visually. Neither rabbit granule lysozyme nor human transferrin induces neutropenia in the rabbit nor does transferrin or bovine serum albumin affect the adherent properties in vivo of the phagocytic cells of the hamster. Thus, lactoferrin enhances granulocyte adherence both in vivo and in vitro. The promotion of margination of leukocytes by lactoferrin in vivo may contribute to the phenomenon of neutropenia during activation of granulocytes by chemotactic factors.