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Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The frequent appearance of variants requires adjunct strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2 infections. Lactoferrin, a naturally occurring glycoprotein, exhibits promising antiviral properties. Here, we investigated the efficacy of bovine LF (bLF) against SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses bearing the original Wuhan (wild-type), D614G mutant, or Omicron variant spike proteins were used to examine the effects of bLF on viral entry into host cells. We found that although bLF did not suppress entry of wild-type pseudoviruses into cells expressing both human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), it did suppress entry of Omicron pseudoviruses into the cells. The results of this in vitro study highlight the spike protein-dependent effects of bLF on suppression of pseudovirus entry into host cells. Future clinical trials investigating the efficacy of bLF against SARS-CoV-2 infection should consider the differential impact of virus variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a devastating pandemic responsible for the current global health crisis. Hyperimmune milk, produced after maternal immunisation of bovines, equines, camels, sheep, goats and humans, may act as a super food since it possesses strong nutritional, health promoting, antiviral and immunomodulating properties. It may also be a good and instantaneous source of passive immunity against COVID-19 via bioactive factors, viz., IgG, IgA and IgM neutralising antibodies. The modularity of these antibodies makes them amenable to neutralise SARS-CoV-2 by agglutination and complement fixation in addition to inhibition of various metabolic enzymes. Due to unique nutritional configuration and presence of variable antigen-binding domains, hyperimmune camel milk also possesses potential for induction of passive immunity by the development of multivalent complexes against SARS-CoV-2. Being almost devoid of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and after thorough investigation, high-pressure pasteurised hyperimmune milk can be safely recommended in the human diet especially for immunocompromised patients and non-vaccinated children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]