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Strategies of Intracellular Pathogens for Obtaining Iron from the Environment

Nidia Leon-Sicairos1, Ruth Reyes-Cortes2, Alma M Guadrón-Llanos2

  • 1Unidad de Investigación de la Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Cedros y Sauces, S/N Fracc. Fresnos, 80246 Culiacán, SIN, Mexico ; Departamento de Investigación del Hospital Pediátrico de Sinaloa "Dr. Rigoberto Aguilar Pico", Boulevard Constitución S/N, Colonia Jorge Almada, 80200 Culiacán, SIN, Mexico.

Biomed Research International
|June 30, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Intracellular pathogens survive by acquiring iron within host cells. This review explores their strategies for obtaining iron, crucial for pathogen replication and host-pathogen interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Most microorganisms are eliminated by host defenses like phagocytosis.
  • Intracellular pathogens evade destruction by residing within host cells, such as macrophages.
  • Iron is essential for both host cells and intracellular pathogens during infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse strategies employed by intracellular pathogens to acquire iron from the host cell.
  • To discuss how these iron acquisition mechanisms impact the host-pathogen relationship.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on intracellular pathogens and iron metabolism.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms for iron uptake and utilization by pathogens within host cells.

Main Results:

  • Intracellular pathogens utilize multiple sophisticated mechanisms to scavenge iron from the host cell environment.
  • These mechanisms include iron transport systems, siderophore production, and host iron-binding protein manipulation.
  • Pathogen iron acquisition is critical for their intracellular replication and survival.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding pathogen iron acquisition strategies is key to developing novel antimicrobial therapies.
  • Targeting pathogen iron metabolism offers a promising avenue for controlling intracellular infections.

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