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Updated: May 11, 2026
08:45
Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
Published on: May 10, 2022
Iron in infection and immunity.
James E Cassat1, Eric P Skaar2
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37237, USA.
Cell Host & Microbe
|May 21, 2013
Summary
Pathogenic microbes require iron, but the immune system limits its availability through nutritional immunity. This review explores how pathogens overcome these iron defenses to cause disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Iron is vital for human and microbial life, acting as a redox catalyst in cellular processes.
- Iron's redox properties also contribute to its toxicity, necessitating strict cellular control.
- The innate immune system employs nutritional immunity to restrict microbial iron access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulation of iron metabolism during infection.
- To delineate pathogen strategies for overcoming host iron-withholding defenses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on iron metabolism and host-pathogen interactions.
- Analysis of mechanisms employed by human pathogens to acquire iron.
Main Results:
- Pathogens must possess specialized mechanisms to acquire iron.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for combating infectious diseases.
Conclusions:
- Pathogen survival during infection hinges on their ability to circumvent host nutritional immunity.
- Targeting pathogen iron acquisition strategies offers potential therapeutic avenues.
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