Method for removing endotoxin from proteins
Disclosed is a method for removing endotoxin from proteins. Also disclosed are products made by using the method. The method may be used, for example, to produce endotoxin-free lactoferrin. Bovine milk-derived lactoferrin may be produced in commercial quantities by the method, and endotoxin-free bovine lactoferrin may be used for a variety of therapeutic uses, including improving wound healing.
1. A method for treating a biofilm-associated disease condition in a human or animal, the method comprising administering to the human or animal a therapeutically effective amount of an endotoxin-free bovine lactoferrin product made by removing bound endotoxin from lactoferrin by a method comprising the steps of
a) binding the lactoferrin to a cation exchange resin;
b) eluting the endotoxin using a low-ionic strength solution in the absence of added surfactant; and
c) eluting the lactoferrin with a high ionic strength solution.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the low-ionic strength solution is a 0.01 to 0.5 molar salt solution.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the low-ionic strength solution is a 0.25 to 0.35 molar salt solution.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the high ionic strength solution is a high salt solution.
5. A method for improving healing in an acute or chronic wound, the method comprising administering to the human or animal a therapeutically effective amount of an endotoxin-free bovine lactoferrin product made by removing bound endotoxin from lactoferrin by a method comprising the steps of
a) binding the lactoferrin to a cation exchange resin;
b) eluting the endotoxin using a low-ionic strength solution in the absence of added surfactant; and
c) eluting the lactoferrin with a high ionic strength solution.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the low-ionic strength solution is a 0.01 to 0.5 molar salt solution.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the low-ionic strength solution is a 0.25 to 0.35 molar salt solution.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the high ionic strength solution is a high salt solution.