Abstract
Background: Iron is an essential micronutrient for bacteria, fungi, and humans; as such, each has evolved specialized iron uptake systems to acquire iron from the extracellular environment.
Objective: To describe complex ‘tug of war’ for iron that has evolved between human hosts and pathogenic microorganisms in the battle for this vital nutrient.
Methods: A review of current literature was performed, to assess current approaches and controversies in iron therapy and chelation in humans.
Results: In humans, sequestration (hiding) of iron from invading pathogens is often successful; however, many pathogens have evolved mechanisms to circumvent this approach.
Conclusion: Clinically, controversy continues whether iron overload or administration of iron results in an increased risk of infection. The administration of iron chelating agents and siderophore- conjugate drugs to infected hosts seems a biologically plausible approach as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of infections caused by pathogens dependent on host iron supply (e.g. tuberculosis, malaria, and many bacterial and fungal pathogens); however, thus far, studies in humans have proved unsuccessful.
Keywords: Infection, iron, nutritional immunity, siderophore, iron overload, iron chelation.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:The Battle for Iron between Humans and Microbes
Volume: 25 Issue: 1
Author(s): Peggy L. Carver*
Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Michigan, College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI 48109- 1065,United States
Keywords: Infection, iron, nutritional immunity, siderophore, iron overload, iron chelation.
Abstract: Background: Iron is an essential micronutrient for bacteria, fungi, and humans; as such, each has evolved specialized iron uptake systems to acquire iron from the extracellular environment.
Objective: To describe complex ‘tug of war’ for iron that has evolved between human hosts and pathogenic microorganisms in the battle for this vital nutrient.
Methods: A review of current literature was performed, to assess current approaches and controversies in iron therapy and chelation in humans.
Results: In humans, sequestration (hiding) of iron from invading pathogens is often successful; however, many pathogens have evolved mechanisms to circumvent this approach.
Conclusion: Clinically, controversy continues whether iron overload or administration of iron results in an increased risk of infection. The administration of iron chelating agents and siderophore- conjugate drugs to infected hosts seems a biologically plausible approach as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of infections caused by pathogens dependent on host iron supply (e.g. tuberculosis, malaria, and many bacterial and fungal pathogens); however, thus far, studies in humans have proved unsuccessful.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Carver L. Peggy *, The Battle for Iron between Humans and Microbes, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 25 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170720110049
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170720110049 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Recent Complications and Issues in Tuberculosis Treatment
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Resveratrol Targets in Inflammation
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Changing Face of Tobacco Use Among United States Youth
Current Drug Abuse Reviews The Last Decade of Carbon Paste Electrodes in DNA Electrochemistry
Current Analytical Chemistry Molecular Targets for Design of Novel Inhibitors to Circumvent Aminoglycoside Resistance
Current Drug Targets Estrogen Receptor Beta (ERβ) Expression in Different Subtypes of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Study of the Scientific Production on Leishmaniasis in Latin America
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Antibacterial Activity and Structure-activity Relationship Studies of 4- substituted-5-(diphenylmethyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Blockade in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Responders Vs Non Responders
Medicinal Chemistry Reviews - Online (Discontinued) The β-Ketoacyl-ACP Synthase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis as Potential Drug Targets
Current Medicinal Chemistry Immunoregulation Through 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 and its Analogs
Current Drug Targets - Inflammation & Allergy Editorial (Thematic Issue: Biomarkers of Impaired Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Health and Disease)
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Drug-Induced Anemia and Other Red Cell Disorders: A Guide in the Age of Polypharmacy
Current Clinical Pharmacology Recent Patents on DNA Sequences and Diagnostic Methods for the Identification and Strain Differentiation of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences Scalarane Sesterterpenoids
Current Bioactive Compounds The Need to Teach Vaccine Safety to Basic Scientists and Public Health Officials
Current Drug Safety Development of Anti-Atherosclerosis Therapy Based on the Inflammatory and Proliferative Aspects of the Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Efficacy, Tolerability and Virological Consequences of Long-Term Use of Unboosted Atazanavir Plus 2 NRTIs in HIV-Infected Patients
Current HIV Research A Facile and Efficient One-pot Three Component Route to New Bis(1,2,4- Oxadiazole) Linked with Polyoxyethylene Chain
Letters in Organic Chemistry Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry