Nutritional Components and Immunoregulatory Mechanisms of Lactoferrin Formula

Abstract:

Objective This study aims to investigate the immunoregulatory mechanisms of lactoferrin formula and its four nutritional components (α-lactalbumin, N-acetylneuraminic acid, yeast β-glucan, and lactoferrin) in RAW264.7 macrophages.Method M1 and M2 macrophage polarization were induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and interleukin (IL)-4, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and Western blot were employed to analyze macrophage polarization and related signaling pathways.Result Lactoferrin formula enhanced the phagocytic activity of macrophages and dose-dependently inhibited M1 polarization while promoting M2 polarization within the range of 10~50 μg/mL. A combination of four nutritional components exhibited similar effects, with greater effects than the three-component combination. Additionally, the lactoferrin formula upregulated antigen-presenting molecules and antioxidant enzyme activity. It modulated macrophage polarization by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway and activating the protein kinase B (Akt)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) pathway, thereby alleviating inflammation.Conclusion Lactoferrin formula exerts immunoregulatory effects by modulating macrophage polarization.