Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Gammella, Margherita Correnti, Gaetano Cairo, Stefania Recalcati
Summary: Body iron levels are regulated by hepcidin, which controls the presence of ferroportin (FPN) on cell surface. Disruption of this regulation can lead to disorders related to iron-deficiency or overload. Recent evidence suggests that FPN may also play a crucial role in local iron control, potentially causing tissue damage despite unchanged systemic iron homeostasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Oriana Marques, Joana Neves, Natalie K. Horvat, Sandro Altamura, Martina U. Muckenthaler
Summary: The study found that mice with hereditary hemochromatosis type 4 display a mild attenuation in the LPS-induced pulmonary inflammatory response, with a reduced upregulation of some pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Despite mildly reduced cytokine levels, there is no short-term impairment in the recruitment of neutrophils into the bronchoalveolar space.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Raia, Antonio Conti, Alan Zanardi, Barbara Ferrini, Giulia Maria Scotti, Enrica Gilberti, Giuseppe De Palma, Samuel David, Massimo Alessio
Summary: This study investigates the role of ceruloplasmin in iron and lipid metabolism. It reveals that deficiency of ceruloplasmin leads to obesity, adipose tissue accumulation, liver iron deposition, and steatosis. Ceruloplasmin replacement therapy is found to be effective in limiting liver iron accumulation and steatosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Antimo Cutone, Luigi Rosa, Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Federico Iacovelli, Maria Pia Conte, Giusi Ianiro, Alice Romeo, Elena Campione, Luca Bianchi, Piera Valenti, Mattia Falconi, Giovanni Musci
Summary: Research has found that bovine and human lactoferrins have antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and can restore iron and inflammatory balance by binding to the viral glycoprotein Spike. This discovery suggests the potential use of lactoferrin as an adjunct therapy for COVID-19.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
David Haschka, Piotr Tymoszuk, Verena Petzer, Richard Hilbe, Simon Heeke, Stefanie Dichtl, Sergej Skvortsov, Egon Demetz, Sylvia Berger, Markus Seifert, Anna-Maria Mitterstiller, Patrizia Moser, Dirk Bumann, Manfred Nairz, Igor Theurl, Guenter Weiss
Summary: Iron is essential for both mammals and pathogens, and inflammation-induced changes in iron metabolism play a crucial role in host defense against infections. The iron storage protein FTH in myeloid cells is important for controlling bacterial spread and modulating NF-κB and inflammasome-mediated cytokine activation.
Article
Immunology
Buesra Geckin, Gizem Kilic, Priya A. Debisarun, Konstantin Fohse, Azahara Rodriguez-Luna, Pablo Fernandez-Gonzalez, Ana Lopez Sanchez, Jorge Dominguez-Andres
Summary: The proper functioning of the immune system relies on the balance between pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation. Disruption of this balance can lead to autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. A fungal compound called AM3 has been found to modulate immune responses by decreasing excessive cytokine production and maintaining the capacity of immune cells to respond to stimuli. AM3 may help reduce immune activation and keep immune responses within a normal range.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jeffrey L. Ward, Moises Torres-Gonzalez, Mary Cloud B. Ammons
Summary: The association of hyperinflammation and hyperferritinemia with adverse outcomes in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients suggests the importance of iron homeostasis in pathogenesis. Bovine lactoferrin, a multipurpose glycoprotein, has the potential to be a therapeutic adjuvant against SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hanan Kamel M. Saad, Alawiyah Awang Abd Rahman, Azly Sumanty Ab Ghani, Wan Rohani Wan Taib, Imilia Ismail, Muhammad Farid Johan, Abdullah Saleh Al-Wajeeh, Hamid Ali Nagi Al-Jamal
Summary: Iron homeostasis is regulated by hepcidin, which is influenced by factors such as iron stores, hypoxia, inflammation, and erythropoiesis. Beta-thalassemia patients exhibit iron deficiency, iron overload, and ineffective erythropoiesis. Recent research has identified new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for beta-thalassemia.
Article
Biology
Mehdi Chaib, Bilal B. Hafeez, Hassan Mandil, Deidre Daria, Ajeeth K. Pingili, Sonam Kumari, Mohammed Sikander, Vivek K. Kashyap, Guo-Yun Chen, Emmanuel Anning, Manish K. Tripathi, Sheema Khan, Stephen Behrman, Murali M. Yallapu, Meena Jaggi, Liza Makowski, Subhash C. Chauhan
Summary: This study discovers that a probiotic-derived siderophore, ferrichrome, can remodel tumor-associated macrophages, increase CD8+ T cell infiltration, and significantly reduce tumor burden in pancreatic cancer. Ferrichrome also enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapy, providing a potential novel combination therapy for pancreatic cancer treatment.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Corbin R. Azucenas, T. Alex Ruwe, John P. Bonamer, Bo Qiao, Tomas Ganz, Mika Jormakka, Elizabeta Nemeth, Bryan Mackenzie
Summary: Fpn is a protein expressed in the plasma membrane of macrophages, enterocytes, and hepatocytes, which mediates the transfer of cellular iron into the blood plasma. Research has shown that human Fpn does not transport manganese, but mouse Fpn may be involved in manganese metabolism. Comparative analysis of mouse and human Fpn revealed that they share identical properties in terms of substrate profile, calcium dependence, optimal pH, and hepcidin sensitivity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Patryk Slusarczyk, Katarzyna Mleczko-Sanecka
Summary: The production and breakdown of red blood cells involves significant iron recycling processes. Specialized macrophages are key in handling red blood cells, but there is still limited understanding of the mechanistic details of this process.
Article
Ophthalmology
Yingrui Liu, Bailey Baumann, Ying Song, Kevin Zhang, Jacob K. Sterling, Samira Lakhal-Littleton, Zbynek Kozmik, Guanfang Su, Joshua L. Dunaief
Summary: Iron-induced oxidative stress can cause or worsen retinal degenerative diseases, and retinal iron overload has been observed in mouse disease models. This study used mice with retina-specific knockout of ferroportin to investigate the role of impaired iron export in retinal iron overload. The results suggest that impaired iron export alone is not sufficient to explain the retinal iron overload observed in these mice.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiedong Ma, Hongqi Zhang, Yufei Chen, Xiaojin Liu, Jiamin Tian, Wei Shen
Summary: This article summarizes the role of iron overload and ferroptosis in macrophages in the development of AS from the perspective of iron metabolism, highlighting their significant contribution to AS progression.
Review
Cell Biology
Xuebing Han, Sujuan Ding, Hongmei Jiang, Gang Liu
Summary: Macrophages in the intestinal tract play a crucial role in maintaining microbial homeostasis and renewing intestinal epithelial cells, as well as participating in the development of intestinal inflammation. Understanding their functions and roles in inflammatory responses will be crucial for advancing treatments of intestinal inflammatory diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ethan Baratz, Olga Protchenko, Shyamalagauri Jadhav, Deliang Zhang, Pierre-Christian Violet, Samantha Grounds, Minoo Shakoury-Elizeh, Mark Levine, Caroline C. Philpott
Summary: Oral supplementation of vitamin E can reduce liver iron stores in mice by suppressing the iron-and redox-sensing transcription factor Nrf2, leading to enhanced iron efflux through liver FPN. Iron depletion may indirectly enhance the antioxidative effects of vitamin E.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Elisa Angiulli, Arianna Casini, Rosa Vaccaro, Carla Cioni, Mattia Toni
Summary: The alpha-, beta- and gamma-synucleins are small soluble proteins expressed in the nervous system of mammals and show evolutionary conservation in vertebrates. These proteins, despite sharing high homology in their N-terminal sequence, differ in molecular characteristics, expression levels and tissue distribution. The study of synucleinopathies, particularly the involvement of alpha-synuclein, provides valuable insights into the functions and evolution of synucleins in vertebrates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Fernando Bartolome, Luigi Rosa, Piera Valenti, Francisco Lopera, Jesus Hernandez-Gallego, Jose Luis Cantero, Gorka Orive, Eva Carro
Summary: COVID-19 poses a greater risk to older adults and those with dementia. Lactoferrin may have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties against SARS-CoV-2, improving immune system responses and potentially serving as a treatment for COVID-19. Reduced levels of lactoferrin in saliva may increase the susceptibility of Alzheimer's disease patients to COVID-19. Bovine lactoferrin may be a promising preventive therapeutic tool to minimize COVID-19 risk in dementia or Alzheimer's disease patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Giuseppe Giannini, Irene Ragusa, Giulia Nerina Nardone, Sara Soldi, Marina Elli, Piera Valenti, Luigi Rosa, Emanuele Marra, Daniela Stoppoloni, Emilio Merlo Pich
Summary: This study presents a mucoadhesive gel containing probiotics capable of slow release of bacteria to prevent and treat periodontitis. The results show significant and stable release of the bacterial mixture in vitro and improved tissue pathology in a mouse model of periodontitis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonietta Lucia Conte, Catia Longhi, Maria Pia Conte, Anna Maria Costanzo, Rosalba Paesano, Stefano Santangeli, Francesco Venditto, Giovanni Tripepi, Enrico Naldi, Giuditta Pollio, Valeria Cavallini, Marco Marrani, Patrizia Faltoni, Piera Valenti, Luigi Rosa
Summary: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains are the primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Non-antibiotic treatment options, such as bovine lactoferrin (bLf), show promise in inhibiting UPEC invasion and reducing recurrent cystitis episodes. An observational survey on patients with recurrent cystitis demonstrated a significant reduction in episodes after oral administration of bLf.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luigi Rosa, Antimo Cutone, Maria Pia Conte, Elena Campione, Luca Bianchi, Piera Valenti
Summary: This article reviews the antiviral activity of lactoferrin (Lf) against various types of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The study found that oral administration of Lf can counteract COVID-19 pathogenesis in the early stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection and have effects on various physiological processes such as inflammation, iron ion regulation, and coagulation balance. Furthermore, the article reveals the binding mechanisms of Lf to host cells and viral particle surface components. In summary, these studies support the use of Lf as an oral medication for treating COVID-19 or as an adjuvant for symptomatic treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giusi Ianiro, Luigi Rosa, Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Piera Valenti, Giovanni Musci, Antimo Cutone
Summary: Iron is an essential transition metal with crucial biological functions, but it also poses challenges for organisms due to its insolubility and formation of toxic radicals. Organisms have evolved extracellular carrier proteins to acquire and transport iron. Dysregulation of iron-proteins has been implicated in various pathological conditions, yet no resolutive therapy has been found. This review highlights the efficacy of Lactoferrin, a member of the transferrin family, in managing iron disorders associated with different pathologies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Zaccaria, William Dawson, Darius Russel Kish, Massimo Reverberi, Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Marek Domin, Viviana Cristiglio, Bun Chan, Luca Dellafiora, Frank Gabel, Takahito Nakajima, Luigi Genovese, Babak Momeni
Summary: We investigated the detoxification of aflatoxins, fungal carcinogenic food contaminants, by laccase. Experimental comparison of two similar aflatoxins (AFB(1) and AFG(2)) showed significant differences in laccase-mediated detoxification. A multi-scale modeling approach identified substrate-specific changes needed to improve laccase's detoxification capability, and a density functional theory-based model determined the amino acid residues affecting laccase's affinity for aflatoxins. The study concluded that AFB(1) is more challenging to degrade, while AFG(2) is easier due to its lack of side products and favorable binding dynamics, highlighting opportunities to optimize laccase for aflatoxin degradation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giusi Ianiro, Veronica D'Ezio, Ludovica Carpinelli, Cecilia Casella, Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Luigi Rosa, Piera Valenti, Marco Colasanti, Giovanni Musci, Antimo Cutone, Tiziana Persichini
Summary: The study examines the effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) on oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in human astroglial cells infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1). The results show that both forms of bLf, nat-bLf and holo-bLf, enhance the host antioxidant response and reduce reactive oxygen species-mediated damage in astrocytes. The study also demonstrates that bLf restores the physiological internalization of transferrin receptor 1 and exacerbates Tat-induced excitotoxicity on human neuronal cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca Galla, Sara Ferrari, Sara Ruga, Beatrice Mantuano, Giorgia Rosso, Stelvio Tonello, Luigi Rosa, Piera Valenti, Francesca Uberti
Summary: Nasal sprays are effective in preventing infection and transmission of airborne pathogens. UA, a dibenzofuran derived from lichens, can create a protective barrier and block virus activity without altering nasal homeostasis. The research findings are highly relevant in light of the increasing concern about the spread of airborne viral diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matteo Amadei, Antonella Niro, Maria Rosaria Fullone, Rossella Miele, Fabio Polticelli, Giovanni Musci, Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti
Summary: Ferroportin (Fpn), a member of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of transporters, is the only known iron exporter found in mammals and plays a crucial role in regulating cellular and systemic iron levels. In this study, a fluorescent amino acid (DA) was introduced into specific positions of human Fpn to investigate conformational changes during metal translocation. The results indicate metal-induced conformational transitions, providing insights into the alternating access mechanism of Fpn and advancing our understanding of iron transport.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Pasquadibisceglie, Maria Carmela Bonaccorsi di Patti, Giovanni Musci, Fabio Polticelli
Summary: This passage mainly describes the importance of iron in biology and the regulation of intracellular and extracellular iron levels through transport systems.
Article
Polymer Science
Giuseppe Giannini, Irene Ragusa, Giulia Nerina Nardone, Sara Soldi, Marina Elli, Piera Valenti, Luigi Rosa
Summary: An innovative and stable mucoadhesive gel containing probiotics and botanical extracts has been developed to rebalance the dysbiosis associated with periodontal diseases. The gel exhibited protective activity against pathogenic bacteria and showed efficacy in controlling gum disorders in a clinical trial.