Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease

Abstract Iron is indispensable to most lifeforms, underpinning a myriad of physiological processes. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis underlies a broad spectrum of biological phenomena and pathological conditions. Notably, excessive iron overload acts as a key driver of ferroptosis, a unique form of...

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Main Authors: Meijuan Zhong, Yuandi Wang, Junxia Min, Fudi Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02378-6
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author Meijuan Zhong
Yuandi Wang
Junxia Min
Fudi Wang
author_facet Meijuan Zhong
Yuandi Wang
Junxia Min
Fudi Wang
author_sort Meijuan Zhong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Iron is indispensable to most lifeforms, underpinning a myriad of physiological processes. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis underlies a broad spectrum of biological phenomena and pathological conditions. Notably, excessive iron overload acts as a key driver of ferroptosis, a unique form of regulated cell death. Consequently, through the lens of ferrology, targeted modulation of iron balance and ferroptosis has emerged as a compelling avenue for the prevention and treatment of major diseases. Herein, we review the molecular mechanisms governing iron homeostasis, the roles of iron metabolism disorders and ferroptosis in disease pathogenesis, and the latest breakthroughs in iron-regulated therapeutic agents.
format Article
id doaj-art-e7b5d789fa3342c4b3963c5bdd8ada93
institution Kabale University
issn 1741-7007
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Biology
spelling doaj-art-e7b5d789fa3342c4b3963c5bdd8ada932025-08-24T11:50:25ZengBMCBMC Biology1741-70072025-08-0123111610.1186/s12915-025-02378-6Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and diseaseMeijuan Zhong0Yuandi Wang1Junxia Min2Fudi Wang3School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaSchool of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaInstitute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineSchool of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaAbstract Iron is indispensable to most lifeforms, underpinning a myriad of physiological processes. Dysregulation of iron homeostasis underlies a broad spectrum of biological phenomena and pathological conditions. Notably, excessive iron overload acts as a key driver of ferroptosis, a unique form of regulated cell death. Consequently, through the lens of ferrology, targeted modulation of iron balance and ferroptosis has emerged as a compelling avenue for the prevention and treatment of major diseases. Herein, we review the molecular mechanisms governing iron homeostasis, the roles of iron metabolism disorders and ferroptosis in disease pathogenesis, and the latest breakthroughs in iron-regulated therapeutic agents.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02378-6Iron homeostasisFerroptosisIron supplementationFerrology
spellingShingle Meijuan Zhong
Yuandi Wang
Junxia Min
Fudi Wang
Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease
BMC Biology
Iron homeostasis
Ferroptosis
Iron supplementation
Ferrology
title Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease
title_full Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease
title_fullStr Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease
title_full_unstemmed Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease
title_short Iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease
title_sort iron metabolism and ferroptosis in human health and disease
topic Iron homeostasis
Ferroptosis
Iron supplementation
Ferrology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-025-02378-6
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AT yuandiwang ironmetabolismandferroptosisinhumanhealthanddisease
AT junxiamin ironmetabolismandferroptosisinhumanhealthanddisease
AT fudiwang ironmetabolismandferroptosisinhumanhealthanddisease