Ferroptosis and Infectious Diseases
Ferroptosis is a newly recognized form of regulated cell death characterized by oxidative stress, iron dependency, and lipid peroxidation. The importance of ferroptosis has been appreciated in various pathological conditions, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and ischemia injury. Interestingly, there is emerging evidence that ferroptosis may play an important and multifaceted role in the infection of various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Here, we wish to summarize the several distinct ways that ferroptosis may play in host - pathogen interactions. First, the infected host cells may undergo ferroptosis, which may trigger damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecules to be recognized by immune cells for clearance and immune activation. Second, certain pathogens may modulate ferroptosis response by interacting with ferroptosis machinery to promote their propagation. Third, ferroptosis may also contribute to organ injuries during uncontrolled infection and sepsis. Importantly, since multiple compounds are available to enhance or inhibit ferroptosis, it is possible to modulate ferroptosis for therapeutic gain. Therefore, a detailed under-standing will allow us to modulate ferroptosis to eliminate pathogens and ameliorate the acute and chronic adverse outcomes of infectious diseases.
