已发表论文

细菌铁载体在感染治疗中的作用:从抗感染机制到治疗进展

 

Authors Xiao J, Bu Y , Tao Y, Zhou Z, Zou J, Cui W, Yang Z 

Received 23 October 2025

Accepted for publication 22 December 2025

Published 30 December 2025 Volume 2025:20 Pages 15951—15978

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S576272

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2

Editor who approved publication: Professor Dong Wang

Jian Xiao,1,* Yitian Bu,1,* Yeqing Tao,2,* Zhi Zhou,3 Jiaxuan Zou,4 Wushi Cui,4 Zhuokai Yang5 

1Department of Orthopedics, The First People’s Hospital of Jiashan, Jiashan Hospital Affiliated to Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, People’s Republic of China; 2Endoscopy Center, The First People’s Hospital of Jiashan, Jiashan Hospital Affiliated to Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, People’s Republic of China; 3Jiashan County Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Tian Ning Branch, Jiaxing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 5Jiashan Central Blood Bank, Jiaxing, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Zhuokai Yang, Jiashan Central Blood Bank, Jiaxing, People’s Republic of China, Email 15024305976@163.com

Abstract: Siderophores are low-molecular-weight iron chelators that mediate microbial iron acquisition and critically shape host–pathogen interactions. This review highlights the structural diversity, regulatory networks, and virulence functions of bacterial siderophores, including their roles in overcoming host nutritional immunity, modulating immune responses, promoting biofilms, and coordinating metal homeostasis. We further discuss therapeutic strategies that exploit siderophore pathways, from “Trojan horse” siderophore–antibiotic conjugates such as cefiderocol to emerging non-antibiotic conjugates incorporating metal complexes, peptides, nucleic acids, vaccines, and nanomaterials. Beyond antibacterial applications, siderophores show promise in antifungal and antiparasitic therapies and as infection-specific imaging probes. Despite these advances, translational challenges—including adaptive resistance, pharmacokinetic instability, and competition with endogenous siderophores—limit clinical progression. Innovative approaches such as engineered siderophore scaffolds, multifunctional delivery platforms, and nanotechnology-enabled systems may help overcome these barriers. Overall, this review underscores the central role of siderophores in microbial pathogenesis and their growing potential as versatile platforms for next-generation anti-infective and diagnostic development.

Keywords: siderophores, iron acquisition, bacterial pathogenesis, anti-infective therapy, antimicrobial resistance