A zero-sum game or an interactive frame? Iron competition between bacteria and humans in infection war

Abstract

Iron is an essential trace element for both humans and bacteria. It plays a vital role in life, such as in redox reactions and electron transport. Strict regulatory mechanisms are necessary to maintain iron homeostasis because both excess and insufficient iron are harmful to life. Competition for iron is a war between humans and bacteria. To grow, reproduce, colonize, and successfully cause infection, pathogens have evolved various mechanisms for iron uptake from humans, principally Fe3+-siderophore and Fe2+-heme transport systems. Humans have many innate immune mechanisms that regulate the distribution of iron and inhibit bacterial iron uptake to help resist bacterial invasion and colonization. Meanwhile, researchers have invented detection test strips and coupled antibiotics with siderophores to create tools that take advantage of this battle for iron, to help eliminate pathogens. In this review, we summarize bacterial and human iron metabolism, competition for iron between humans and bacteria, siderophore sensors, antibiotics coupled with siderophores, and related phenomena. We also discuss how competition for iron can be used for diagnosis and treatment of infection in the future.

Serum iron levels in tuberculosis patients and household contacts and its association with natural resistance‐associated macrophage protein 1 polymorphism and expression

“…Together, these mechanisms limit the iron available to pathogens and hence inhibit bacterial reproduction in the body. 44 In this study, no polymorphism of exon 15 D543 was found. These results are in line with research in Surabaya, Indonesia.…”

“…The human body also decreases the absorption of iron from the intestine. Together, these mechanisms limit the iron available to pathogens and hence inhibit bacterial reproduction in the body 44 …”

Injectable Self-Harden Antibiofilm Bioceramic Cement for Minimally Invasive Surgery

“…Fe is the most abundant trace element in the human body and plays a vital role in human health . Fe-based biomaterials are generally highly biocompatible.…”

“…Fe is the most abundant trace element in the human body and plays a vital role in human health. 18 Fe-based biomaterials are generally highly biocompatible. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use to treat iron deficiency anemia and as an MRI contrast agent.…”

“…20 Fe also plays an essential role in enhancing bone metabolism. 18 Although many studies have focused on the effect of iron loading on the osteogenic properties of bone grafting biomaterials, 23,24 few studies have focused on the impact of iron loading on the antibacterial properties of these materials. Recently, the development of iron-loaded anti-bacterial bone grafting materials has begun to receive attention.…”