About this Research Topic
Transferrin is the major iron-carrying protein in plasma. It has two receptors, transferrin receptor 1 and transferrin receptor 2. Structurally it has two lobes, N and C, each of which can bind a single iron atom.
In addition to its role in iron delivery, several lines of evidence suggest that it may also serve as a signalling molecule. Studies to date indicate that transferrin influences the regulation of iron metabolism, erythropoiesis, metabolic pathways and immunity.
The efficiency of transferrin-mediated iron uptake has been exploited for targeted delivery of certain drugs (e.g. anticancer), proteins and also of therapeutic genes into proliferating malignant cells that overexpress the transferrin receptors. By chemically conjugating transferrin with therapeutic drugs and/or proteins, the cytotoxicity and selectivity of the drugs can be significantly improved. Transferrin also shows great promise in the delivery of therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier to the brain.
This Research Topic is dedicated to expanding our current understanding of the role and utility of transferrin as a drug target and an effective drug delivery system.
Topics of interest include:
- Drugs and physiologic conditions affecting transferrin and opportunities to target transferrin. Germane disease states include, but are not limited to, anaemia, hemochromatosis, immunodeficiency, hemoglobinopathies, cancer, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory conditions, aging, degenerative disorders, chronic kidney disease, infection, hepatic diseases, and autoimmunity
- The utilization of transferrin as a targeted drug delivery system
In addition to its role in iron delivery, several lines of evidence suggest that it may also serve as a signalling molecule. Studies to date indicate that transferrin influences the regulation of iron metabolism, erythropoiesis, metabolic pathways and immunity.
The efficiency of transferrin-mediated iron uptake has been exploited for targeted delivery of certain drugs (e.g. anticancer), proteins and also of therapeutic genes into proliferating malignant cells that overexpress the transferrin receptors. By chemically conjugating transferrin with therapeutic drugs and/or proteins, the cytotoxicity and selectivity of the drugs can be significantly improved. Transferrin also shows great promise in the delivery of therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier to the brain.
This Research Topic is dedicated to expanding our current understanding of the role and utility of transferrin as a drug target and an effective drug delivery system.
Topics of interest include:
- Drugs and physiologic conditions affecting transferrin and opportunities to target transferrin. Germane disease states include, but are not limited to, anaemia, hemochromatosis, immunodeficiency, hemoglobinopathies, cancer, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory conditions, aging, degenerative disorders, chronic kidney disease, infection, hepatic diseases, and autoimmunity
- The utilization of transferrin as a targeted drug delivery system
Keywords: transferrin, drug delivery, drug delivery systems, iron metabolism, erythropoiesis, metabolic pathways, translational pharmacology
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