Weinberg E D
Clin Physiol Biochem. 1986;4(1):50-60.
In nearly all forms of life, the number and diversity of enzymes that contain iron or that depend on the presence of this metal for activity are impressive. Not surprisingly, chemical mechanisms have been evolved by many organisms that permit them to solubilize and acquire iron while at the same time depriving their competitors or their pathogens of this element. Proteins such as transferrin and lactoferrin that are employed by vertebrate hosts for iron transport and acquisition can, to some extent, withhold the metal from the siderophores of invading bacteria and fungi. Attempts also are made by animal hosts to withhold iron from protozoa and neoplastic cells. Unfortunately, pathogenic microorganisms have developed a variety of counter measures that are especially dangerous in hosts stressed by iron overload in specific fluids, tissues, or cells. In recent years, however, a number of possible methods and agents for strengthening iron-withholding defense have become apparent. Nearly 3,000 papers on various aspects of iron withholding are contained in the 18-year Medline Database and numerous reviews have been published since 1966. The present paper will focus on developments that have been reported within the past 2 1/2 years.
在几乎所有的生命形式中，含铁或依赖这种金属的存在来发挥活性的酶的数量和种类都令人印象深刻。毫不奇怪，许多生物体已经进化出化学机制，使它们能够溶解并获取铁，同时剥夺其竞争者或病原体的这种元素。脊椎动物宿主用于铁运输和获取的蛋白质，如转铁蛋白和乳铁蛋白，在一定程度上可以阻止金属被入侵细菌和真菌的铁载体摄取。动物宿主也试图阻止铁进入原生动物和肿瘤细胞。不幸的是，致病微生物已经发展出多种应对措施，在特定体液、组织或细胞中铁过载导致宿主应激的情况下，这些措施尤其危险。然而，近年来，一些加强铁扣留防御的可能方法和药物已经显现出来。18年的医学在线数据库中包含了近3000篇关于铁扣留各个方面的论文，自1966年以来已经发表了大量综述。本文将重点关注过去两年半内报道的进展。
