Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Nutritional Immunity.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing biological mechanisms and theoretical therapeutic applications without empirical human data or systematic review methodology.
PubMed 41754428 · doi:10.3390/pathogens15020176
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature on host nutritional immunity mechanisms, including metal homeostasis, nutrient competition, transporter regulation, and copper-mediated toxicity. It described pathogen counter-strategies such as siderophore diversification and metabolic rewiring, comparative genomic patterns of nutrient acquisition, and discussed theoretical translational avenues including nutrient-based therapies and biomarkers.
What was found
The abstract reports no empirical measurements, quantitative data, or statistical results. It outlines the qualitative mechanisms by which hosts limit pathogen access to iron, zinc, vitamins, lipids, and amino acids, and describes the reciprocal metabolic adaptations employed by pathogens.
Why it matters
The review consolidates mechanistic frameworks linking host metabolism and antimicrobial defense, highlighting potential pathways for host-directed infectious disease therapeutics.
Limits
The abstract describes a non-systematic narrative review containing no original data, clinical cohorts, or quantitative effect sizes. Therapeutic efficacy, safety, and translational feasibility in humans remain theoretical.
Cited by
- supports Pathogens feed on and utilize iron in the body.