Iron as Therapeutic Targets in Human Diseases: Volume 2Paolo Arosio, Maura Poli, Raffaella Gozzelino Iron is an essential element for almost all organisms, a cofactor playing a crucial role in a number of vital functions, including oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, and respiration. However, its ability to exchange electrons renders excess iron potentially toxic, since it is capable of catalyzing the formation of highly poisonous free radicals. As a consequence, iron homeostasis is tightly controlled by sophisticated mechanisms that have been partially elucidated. Because of its biological importance, numerous disorders have been recently linked to the deregulation of iron homeostasis, which include not only the typical disorders of iron overload and deficiency but also cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. This leads iron metabolism to become an interesting therapeutic target for novel pharmacological treatments against these diseases. Several therapies are currently under development for hematological disorders, while other are being considered for different pathologies. The therapeutic targeting under study includes the hepcidin/ferroportin axis for the regulation of systemic iron homeostasis, complex cytosolic machineries for the regulation of the intracellular iron status and its association with oxidative damage, and reagents exploiting proteins of iron metabolism such as ferritin and transferrin receptor. A promising potential target is a recently described form of programmed cell death named ferroptosis, in which the role of iron is essential but not completely clarified. This Special Issue has the aim to summarize the state-of-the-art, and the latest findings published in the iron field, as well as to elucidate future directions. |
Common terms and phrases
acid activity anemia associated availability binding Blood bone cancer causes cells cellular chelators chronic kidney disease Clin clinical compared complex concentrations contribute CrossRef CrossRef][PubMed decreased dietary disease dose effect et al expression factor ferric ferritin ferroportin Figure function gene growth heart heme hepcidin higher histidine host human immune important improved increased induced infection inflammation inflammatory inhibition intestinal intracellular intravenous iron involved iron absorption iron chelators iron deficiency iron homeostasis iron metabolism iron overload iron status iron supplementation leading levels liver lung macrophages malaria mechanisms membrane mice mycobacteria observed oral iron oxidative stress oxygen pathway patients potential prevent production protective protein PubMed pulmonary randomized recent receptor reduced regulation reported response risk role serum showed shown signaling suggesting systemic therapeutic therapy tissue transferrin transport treatment trial tuberculosis uptake