Regulation of Iron Metabolism in Health and Disease
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Metabolism".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 1935
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Iron is an essential nutrient necessary for the function of critical proteins involved in biochemical reactions that are indispensable for normal cellular function. However, excess iron is toxic to cells as they undergo the Fenton reaction, catalyzing the production of reactive oxygen species and leading to tissue damage. Due to the lack of specific excretory mechanisms, iron is progressively accrued with aging. Genetic factors and excess dietary iron intake may contribute further to intracellular iron accumulation. Recent evidence links several chronic disorders to deregulated iron homeostasis. Iron’s contributory role in disease pathogenesis has been identified not only in genetic disorders of iron overload but also in cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases and ocular disorders. Thus, reducing intracellular iron levels is a promising therapeutic target for these diseases. Siderophores and synthetic iron chelators are currently in clinical use to decrease iron levels. However, there are challenges in developing novel and safe iron chelators that specifically target individual organs. Current therapeutic targets under study include BMP/Smad signaling, hepcidin–ferroportin axis, Wnt signaling, oxidative stress pathways, inflammasome signaling, ferritinophagy and ferroptosis. This Special Issue welcomes submission of original research articles, reviews, clinical trials and brief reports related to the role of iron metabolism in disease pathogenesis and the elucidation of novel therapeutic agents that target these molecular pathways.
Dr. Jaya Gnana-Prakasam
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- iron metabolism
- oxidative stress
- inflammation
- ferroptosis
- ferritinophagy
- hepcidin
- iron chelators
- neurodegeneration
- cardiovascular
- cancer
