scholarly journals From Rust to Quantum Biology: The Role of Iron in Retina Physiopathology

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie Picard ◽  
Alejandra Daruich ◽  
Jenny Youale ◽  
Yves Courtois ◽  
Francine Behar-Cohen

Iron is essential for cell survival and function. It is a transition metal, that could change its oxidation state from Fe2+ to Fe3+ involving an electron transfer, the key of vital functions but also organ dysfunctions. The goal of this review is to illustrate the primordial role of iron and local iron homeostasis in retinal physiology and vision, as well as the pathological consequences of iron excess in animal models of retinal degeneration and in human retinal diseases. We summarize evidence of the potential therapeutic effect of iron chelation in retinal diseases and especially the interest of transferrin, a ubiquitous endogenous iron-binding protein, having the ability to treat or delay degenerative retinal diseases.

2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 320-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M. Baker ◽  
Edward N. Baker

The 3-D structure of human lactoferrin was first solved in atomic detail in 1987. Since that time, a variety of proven and postulated activities have been added to the original annotation of lactoferrin as an iron-binding protein. Structural studies have also expanded to include iron-bound and iron-free (apo) forms, mutants, and the lactoferrins of different species. In this review, we take the current information on both structure and function and show that the 3-D structure provides a useful framework for understanding some activities and also points to productive research directions that could help elucidate other reported functions. Some functions relate to iron binding where the role of lactoferrin is to scavenge and retain iron across a wide pH range. We specifically focus on functions that depend on the surface structure of the molecule, identifying features that may determine the many other protective properties of this multifunctional protein.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2594
Author(s):  
Yue Ruan ◽  
Tobias Böhmer ◽  
Subao Jiang ◽  
Adrian Gericke

The retina is a part of the central nervous system, a thin multilayer with neuronal lamination, responsible for detecting, preprocessing, and sending visual information to the brain. Many retinal diseases are characterized by hemodynamic perturbations and neurodegeneration leading to vision loss and reduced quality of life. Since catecholamines and respective bindings sites have been characterized in the retina, we systematically reviewed the literature with regard to retinal expression, distribution and function of alpha1 (α1)-, alpha2 (α2)-, and beta (β)-adrenoceptors (ARs). Moreover, we discuss the role of the individual adrenoceptors as targets for the treatment of retinal diseases.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romina Mancinelli ◽  
Luigi Rosa ◽  
Antimo Cutone ◽  
Maria Stefania Lepanto ◽  
Antonio Franchitto ◽  
...  

The liver is a frontline immune site specifically designed to check and detect potential pathogens from the bloodstream to maintain a general state of immune hyporesponsiveness. One of the main functions of the liver is the regulation of iron homeostasis. The liver detects changes in systemic iron requirements and can regulate its concentration. Pathological states lead to the dysregulation of iron homeostasis which, in turn, can promote infectious and inflammatory processes. In this context, hepatic viruses deviate hepatocytes’ iron metabolism in order to better replicate. Indeed, some viruses are able to alter the expression of iron-related proteins or exploit host receptors to enter inside host cells. Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional iron-binding glycoprotein belonging to the innate immunity, is endowed with potent antiviral activity, mainly related to its ability to block viral entry into host cells by interacting with viral and/or cell surface receptors. Moreover, Lf can act as an iron scavenger by both direct iron-chelation or the modulation of the main iron-related proteins. In this review, the complex interplay between viral hepatitis, iron homeostasis, and inflammation as well as the role of Lf are outlined.


2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy H Brock

This paper reviews our current knowledge of the structure and function of the iron-binding protein lactoferrin. In particular, it attempts to relate the various proposed physiological functions of lactoferrin to its most characteristic biochemical properties, i.e. its ability to bind iron and its highly basic nature. The extent to which various physiological functions can be considered as definitely established is critically reviewed, and suggestions for future research are proposed.Key words: lactoferrin, iron, nutrition, immunology, infection, inflammation.


Nature ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 214 (5093) ◽  
pp. 1126-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER S. DAVIS ◽  
COLIN G. LUKE ◽  
DONALD J. DELLER

Microbiology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 162 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachelle M. E. McKenzie ◽  
Leroy G. Henry ◽  
Marie-Claire Boutrin ◽  
Alexia Ximinies ◽  
Hansel M. Fletcher

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (45) ◽  
pp. E9608-E9617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Xue ◽  
Bryce X. Bredell ◽  
Erik R. Anderson ◽  
Angelical Martin ◽  
Christopher Mays ◽  
...  

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder and is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Hypoxia is a feature of IBD and modulates cellular and mitochondrial metabolism. However, the role of hypoxic metabolism in IBD is unclear. Because mitochondrial dysfunction is an early hallmark of hypoxia and inflammation, an unbiased proteomics approach was used to assess the mitochondria in a mouse model of colitis. Through this analysis, we identified a ferrireductase: six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 (STEAP4) was highly induced in mouse models of colitis and in IBD patients. STEAP4 was regulated in a hypoxia-dependent manner that led to a dysregulation in mitochondrial iron balance, enhanced reactive oxygen species production, and increased susceptibility to mouse models of colitis. Mitochondrial iron chelation therapy improved colitis and demonstrated an essential role of mitochondrial iron dysregulation in the pathogenesis of IBD. To address if mitochondrial iron dysregulation is a key mechanism by which inflammation impacts colon tumorigenesis, STEAP4 expression, function, and mitochondrial iron chelation were assessed in a colitis-associated colon cancer model (CAC). STEAP4 was increased in human CRC and predicted poor prognosis. STEAP4 and mitochondrial iron increased tumor number and burden in a CAC model. These studies demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial iron homeostasis in IBD and CRC.


Author(s):  
Grace C.H. Yang

The size and organization of collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix is an important determinant of tissue structure and function. The synthesis and deposition of collagen involves multiple steps which begin within the cell and continue in the extracellular space. High-voltage electron microscopic studies of the chick embryo cornea and tendon suggested that the extracellular space is compartmentalized by the fibroblasts for the regulation of collagen fibril, bundle, and tissue specific macroaggregate formation. The purpose of this study is to gather direct evidence regarding the association of the fibroblast cell surface with newly formed collagen fibrils, and to define the role of the fibroblast in the control and the precise positioning of collagen fibrils, bundles, and macroaggregates during chick tendon development.


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