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Ullah I, Lang M. Key players in the regulation of iron homeostasis at the host-pathogen interface. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1279826. [PMID: 37942316 PMCID: PMC10627961 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1279826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron plays a crucial role in the biochemistry and development of nearly all living organisms. Iron starvation of pathogens during infection is a striking feature utilized by a host to quell infection. In mammals and some other animals, iron is essentially obtained from diet and recycled from erythrocytes. Free iron is cytotoxic and is readily available to invading pathogens. During infection, most pathogens utilize host iron for their survival. Therefore, to ensure limited free iron, the host's natural system denies this metal in a process termed nutritional immunity. In this fierce battle for iron, hosts win over some pathogens, but others have evolved mechanisms to overdrive the host barriers. Production of siderophores, heme iron thievery, and direct binding of transferrin and lactoferrin to bacterial receptors are some of the pathogens' successful strategies which are highlighted in this review. The intricate interplay between hosts and pathogens in iron alteration systems is crucial for understanding host defense mechanisms and pathogen virulence. This review aims to elucidate the current understanding of host and pathogen iron alteration systems and propose future research directions to enhance our knowledge in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inam Ullah
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Minglin Lang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, China
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Regueiro U, López-López M, Varela-Fernández R, Otero-Espinar FJ, Lema I. Biomedical Applications of Lactoferrin on the Ocular Surface. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030865. [PMID: 36986726 PMCID: PMC10052036 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) is a first-line defense protein with a pleiotropic functional pattern that includes anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumoral properties. Remarkably, this iron-binding glycoprotein promotes iron retention, restricting free radical production and avoiding oxidative damage and inflammation. On the ocular surface, LF is released from corneal epithelial cells and lacrimal glands, representing a significant percentage of the total tear fluid proteins. Due to its multifunctionality, the availability of LF may be limited in several ocular disorders. Consequently, to reinforce the action of this highly beneficial glycoprotein on the ocular surface, LF has been proposed for the treatment of different conditions such as dry eye, keratoconus, conjunctivitis, and viral or bacterial ocular infections, among others. In this review, we outline the structure and the biological functions of LF, its relevant role at the ocular surface, its implication in LF-related ocular surface disorders, and its potential for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uxía Regueiro
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Maite López-López
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rubén Varela-Fernández
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Otero-Espinar
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Institute of Materials (iMATUS), University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.J.O.-E.); (I.L.)
| | - Isabel Lema
- Corneal Neurodegeneration Group (RENOIR), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Galician Institute of Ophthalmology (INGO), Conxo Provincial Hospital, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.J.O.-E.); (I.L.)
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