Lactoferrin ameliorates the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in association with suppression of IL-17 production and intestinal microbiota alteration.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disease, with symptoms including severe inflammation, itching and dryness. The prevalence of AD is increasing worldwide, particularly in developing countries, with an incidence of approximately 10%-20%. Under conventional conditions, NC/Nga mice reportedly develop dermatitis with IgE hyperproduction that is highly similar to that of human AD.5-7 In addition, they develop AD-like skin lesions following repeated application of mite extracts under specific pathogen-free conditions. Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein with antibacterial, antiviral, immunostimulatory and lipid metabolism-modulating activities. The effects of LF on AD have not yet been elucidated. As an immunomodulatory factor, the intestinal microbiota has been investigated, and the recent consensus is that a probiotic approach partially contributes to the prevention and improvement of AD symptoms. We therefore investigated the effect of LF on mite extract-induced AD-like skin and intestinal microbiota in NC/Nga mice.