Questions and Answers
Q: What is Lacromin?
A: Lacromin is recombinant human Lactoferrin. Lacromin is produced from
an animal-free plant-based expression system. Lacromin is an 80 kDa iron-binding
protein identical in sequence to native human Lactoferrin and shares sequence
homology to transferrin1. Lactoferrin has superior-iron binding and greater
pH stability than transferrin1. Lactoferrin is found in plasma, body secretions,
and milk1. Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein with primary roles
in iron-transport1. In some cell types, Lactoferrin has additional effects
on cell growth and proliferation2-6, immune regulation,5- 9 and antimicrobial
defense10,.
Q: What are the primary uses of Lacromin in cell culture?
A: Lacromin can be used as an animal-free substitute for transferrin.
In some cell types, Lacromin can be used as a growth factor to affect
cellular proliferation and differentiation.
Q: What are the advantages of using Lacromin in cell culture?
A: Lacromin can substitute for animal-derived transferrin or iron chelates
in media formulations. Lacromin is an efficient iron carrier for cells.
Use of Lacromin may avoid complications with downstream processing found
with iron chelates. Additionally, Lacromin may function as a growth factor
in some cell lines.
Q: How much Lacromin is effective in media?
The optimum concentration of Lacromin™ for cell culture varies
with the cell line. Reported effective concentrations for hybridoma lines
range from 5-100 mg/L. Other cell lines, such as osteoblasts, show effective
growth stimulation at concentrations below 1 mg/L11. The Lacromin document
“Guidelines for Use” provides further information.
Q: Do cell lines require adaptation to Lacromin?
Lacromin can utilize different cellular receptors than transferrin. Many
cell lines require little or no adaptation to Lacromin. However, we recommend
gradual adaptation of cells to Lacromin at an initial concentration of
100 mg/L of media. After adaptation, the concentration of Lacromin can
often be reduced as determined by the user.
References
1. Levay, P.F. et al. Haematologica. 80:252-267 (1995).
2. Bi, B.Y. et al. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. 45:315-320 (1997)
3. Ward, P.P. et al. Endocrinology. 140:1852-1860 (1999)
4. Sawatzki, G. and Rich, I.N. Blood Cells. 15:371-385 (1989)
5. Guillen, C. et al. J. Immunol. 168:3950-3957 (2002)
6. Kimber, I. et al. Biochem. Cell Biol. 80:103-107 (2002)
7. Elass, E. et al. Infect. Immun. 70:1860-1865 (2002)
8. Frydecka, .I et al. Anticancer Res. 22:1897-1901 (2002)
9. Baveye, S. et al. Clin. Chem. Lab Med. 37:281-286 (1999)
10.Weinberg, E.D. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 53:1303-1310 (2001)
11. Cornish, J., et al. Endrocrinology. 145(9): 4366-4374 (2004)
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