The struggle for iron: gastrointestinal microbes modulate the host immune response during infection.
The gastrointestinal track is one source of potential bacterial entry into the host, and the local immune system at the mucosal border is paramount in establishing host immune tolerance and the immune response to invading organisms. Macrophages use iron for production of hydroxy-radical and superoxide reactions, which are necessary for microbial killing. Presumably, as a survival strategy, bacteria, which also require iron for survival, have adapted the ability to sequester iron from the host, thereby limiting the availability to macrophages. As current modes of antimicrobial therapy are evolving, examination of nontraditional therapies is emerging. One such potential therapy involves altering the bacterial micronutrient iron concentration. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a clinical condition where such a strategy makes intuitive sense. This review will describe the immune response to gastrointestinal infection, the mechanisms that the gastrointestinal system uses to absorb intraluminal iron, and the critical role iron plays in the infectious process.
Markel
Troy A
TA
Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Emerson Hall 215, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Crisostomo
Paul R
PR
Wang
Meijing
M
Herring
Christine M
CM
Meldrum
Kirstan K
KK
Lillemoe
Keith D
KD
Meldrum
Daniel R
DR
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000188:drug therapy; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D007501:Iron