The Role of Iron in Epidermal Healing and Infection

Abstract

In recent years, the field of iron studies has expanded into sub-domains that investigate the regulation of this metal in various tissues including the heart, mucosal surfaces, tumours, and the skin. Iron homeostasis in the skin and the role of other non-hepatic cells in the regulation of iron are currently incompletely understood. This paper summarizes the role of iron in wound healing, highlights the importance of maintaining iron concentrations within an intermediate range to avoid toxicity or defects; and integrates the antimicrobial role, interactions, and regulation of various cell types. Notably, the autoregulation of hepcidin secretion by keratinocytes and recruited myeloid cells is described. Additionally, the potential therapeutic role of iron chelators in infection control and their mechanisms of action are explored. This paper aims to elucidate the relevance of local iron control in epidermal infections. Although some of the molecular details underlying this condition remain unclear, published data suggest that iron-regulating therapies are a promising treatment for the eradication of skin infections due to their wound-healing and immune-modulating potential.