Due to its similarities to transferrin, which is the main iron transporting molecule in serum (22, 23), α-LF possesses iron binding capabilities (24, 25), and it can chelate two ferric irons (Fe3+) (26). LF binds one ferric iron atom in each of its two lobes; however, an important attribute is that it does not release its iron, even at pH 3.5. This is of importance as this property assures iron sequestration in infected tissues where the pH is commonly acidic (27). In the context of its iron-binding capabilities, it means that when it binds ferric and siderophore-bound iron, it limits the availability of essential iron to microbes (27).