The role of iron in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and possible treatment with lactoferrin and other iron chelators.

ABSTRACT: Iron overload is increasingly implicated as a contributor to the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Indeed, several of the manifestations of COVID-19, such as inflammation, hypercoagulation, hyperferritinemia, and immune dysfunction are also reminiscent of iron overload. Although iron is essential for all living cells, free unbound iron, resulting from iron dysregulation and overload, is very reactive and potentially toxic due to its role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS react with and damage cellular lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins, with consequent activation of either acute or chronic inflammatory processes implicated in multiple clinical conditions. Moreover, iron-catalyzed lipid damage exerts a direct causative effect on the newly discovered nonapoptotic cell death kn

SUBMITTER: Habib HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7836924 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature