Skip to content
Research Only Immune & Anti-Inflammatory

Lactoferricin

also known as: Lactoferricin B, LfcinB, Lactoferricin H

An antimicrobial peptide from mother's milk — a potent cationic fragment of lactoferrin with broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, plus emerging anticancer properties.

A 25-amino-acid (bovine) or 47-amino-acid (human) cationic peptide liberated from the N-terminal domain of lactoferrin during gastric digestion, with antimicrobial activity exceeding that of the parent protein.

Mechanism of action

Binds bacterial LPS and lipoteichoic acid via electrostatic interactions between cationic residues and anionic membrane components. Inserts into microbial membranes causing permeabilization. Also inhibits biofilm formation, has direct antiviral activity (binds viral surface glycoproteins), and shows anticancer activity via mitochondrial membrane disruption in tumor cells while sparing normal cells.

Primary uses

  • Antimicrobial peptide research
  • Anti-biofilm strategies
  • Food preservation research
  • Anticancer peptide development

Typical dosing

Not established

Research reagent. No established therapeutic dosing.

Regulatory status

Not approved as a therapeutic. Active area of research for antimicrobial peptide drug development and food safety applications.

References

  1. [review] Gifford JL, et al. "Lactoferricin: a lactoferrin-derived peptide with antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor and immunological properties." Cell Mol Life Sci, 2005;62:2588-2598.

Related peptides

LL-37

The only human cathelicidin — an antimicrobial peptide with direct activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and biofilms, with additional roles in wound healing and immune signaling.

Pexiganan

A Xenopus-magainin-derived antimicrobial peptide (Locilex; Dipexium Pharmaceuticals / later acquired by PLx Pharma) developed for topical treatment of mildly infected diabetic foot ulcers. Twice rejected by the FDA — once in 1999 (Magainin Pharmaceuticals) and again in 2017 (Dipexium) after the OneStep-1 and OneStep-2 Phase 3 trials failed to show superiority over placebo cream. Instructive regulatory case study in antimicrobial peptide drug development.

Omiganan

An indolicidin-derived cationic antimicrobial peptide (Micrologix / BioWest / Cutanea Life Sciences / Cellect Biotechnology / Maruho) developed across roughly two decades for several dermatologic and catheter-prevention indications. Failed its pivotal Phase 3 for central venous catheter exit-site infection prevention (2002), then pivoted to rosacea where it also failed Phase 3 (2015). Not FDA-approved.

HNP-1

The prototype human α-defensin — isolated from neutrophil granules by Ganz, Selsted and Lehrer in 1985; the dominant antimicrobial peptide in human neutrophils and a workhorse molecule of innate immunity. Research peptide only: no defensin has ever been developed as an approved drug.
Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.