Lactoferrin as a suppressor of cell migration of gastrointestinal cell lines

The effects of lactoferrin (Lf), an iron‐binding glycoprotein, on cell migration were investigated. Lf inhibited the cell migration of three gastrointestinal cell lines (Caco‐2 cells, AGS cells, and IEC‐18 cells) in vitro. Both iron‐saturated (holo) and iron‐depleted (apo) Lf showed this inhibitory effect. Chelation of iron in the culture medium by desferrioxamine did not affect the activity of either form of Lf. A pepsin hydrolysate of Lf exhibited effectiveness similar to that of intact Lf. These results demonstrate a novel activity of Lf and suggest a potential role for this molecule in gastrointestinal wound healing, which is independent of its iron‐binding capacity. J. Cell. Physiol. 170:101–105, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.