Cystic Fibrosis
The human lung and saliva contain a wide range of antimicrobial compound including lactoperoxidase system, producing hypothiocyanite and lactoferrin, while hypothiocyanite is missing in cystic fibrosis patients. Lactoferrin, a component of innate immunity, prevents bacterial biofilm development. The loss of microbicidal activity and increased formation of biofilm due to decreased lactoferrin activity is observed in patients with cystic fibrosis. These findings demonstrate the important role of lactoferrin in human host defense and especially in lung.
Lactoferrin with hypothiocyanite has been granted orphan drug status by the EMEA and the FDA.
Read more about this topic: Lactoferrin