Stojiljković I, Salaj-Smic E
Institut Ruder Bosković, Zagreb.
Lijec Vjesn. 1991 Sep-Oct;113(9-10):343-7.
Iron is essential nutrient for the growth of the most pathogenic microorganisms. However in vivo iron is complexed with host proteins such as transferrin in the blood and lactoferrin in secretions so that it is not available as a free ionic iron. Restriction in the availability of free iron in the host, the so-called nutritional immunity plays a key role in nonspecific defence strategy against potential pathogens. To overcome the lack of free iron, microorganisms produce substances that chelate iron and they are called siderophores. The outcome of every infection is therefore dependent on both the level of free iron present in the host and the efficiency of siderophore-mediated iron uptake system of the pathogen.
铁是大多数致病微生物生长所必需的营养素。然而，在体内，铁与宿主蛋白如血液中的转铁蛋白和分泌物中的乳铁蛋白结合，因此无法以游离离子铁的形式存在。宿主中游离铁的可用性受限，即所谓的营养免疫，在针对潜在病原体的非特异性防御策略中起关键作用。为了克服游离铁的缺乏，微生物会产生螯合铁的物质，这些物质被称为铁载体。因此，每次感染的结果取决于宿主中游离铁的水平和病原体铁载体介导的铁摄取系统的效率。
