Ironing out the wrinkles in host defense: interactions between iron homeostasis and innate immunity

L Wang, BJ Cherayil - Journal of innate immunity, 2009 - karger.com
L Wang, BJ Cherayil
Journal of innate immunity, 2009karger.com
Iron is an essential micronutrient for both microbial pathogens and their mammalian hosts.
Changes in iron availability and distribution have significant effects on pathogen virulence
and on the immune response to infection. Recent advances in our understanding of the
molecular regulation of iron metabolism have shed new light on how alterations in iron
homeostasis both contribute to and influence innate immunity. In this article, we review what
is currently known about the role of iron in the response to infection.
Abstract
Iron is an essential micronutrient for both microbial pathogens and their mammalian hosts. Changes in iron availability and distribution have significant effects on pathogen virulence and on the immune response to infection. Recent advances in our understanding of the molecular regulation of iron metabolism have shed new light on how alterations in iron homeostasis both contribute to and influence innate immunity. In this article, we review what is currently known about the role of iron in the response to infection.
Karger