Iron status of bLf had no impact on parameters of the gut barrier function, as documented in Caco-2 cell cultures incubated with murine (J774A.1) macrophages; however, apo-bLf displayed stronger neutralizing effects than holo-bLf against the pro-inflammatory cytokine generation in response to LPS and thermally inactivated E. coli CM226 antigens, suggesting that iron content may determine the protective role of Lf toward the inflammation caused by gut endotoxemia and/or sepsis [44]. The gene discussed is LTF; the disease is Sepsis.