Effects of lactoferrin on viral replication in B cell lines corresponding to various stages of B cell differentiation

Introduction
Lactoferrin inhibits viral replication in many cell types.

Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of lactoferrin (LF) on susceptibility of B cell lines, representing different stages of differentiation, to viral infection.

Material and methods
Native bovine LF (bLF) and recombinant mouse LF (rmLF) were applied. Mouse cell lines: WEHI-231 (immature B cells), A-20 (mature B cells), and 7TD1 (plasma cells) were used for infection with encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV).

Results
A-20 cells were most sensitive to infection, WEHI-231 cells were less sensitive, while 7TD1 cells were most resistant to the infection. Both lactoferrins showed significant protective effects in WEHI-231 cells against EMCV, and in the case of A-20 cell line this effect was strongest. A potent antiviral effect of the lactoferrins was found in A-20 cells infected with HSV-1.

Conclusions
The susceptibility of B-cell lines to viral infection, at various stage of cell differentiation, was differential. The protective effects of rmLF were higher in comparison to bLF.