Iron Dysregulation, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Insights

The balance of iron metabolism is crucial for cellular and systemic health. Dysregulation of iron metabolism can lead to oxidative stress, a condition in which the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceed the antioxidant defense capacity of the body, contributing to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. This Research Topic aims to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking iron metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation, to understand their role in the progression of both chronic and acute diseases.

These interconnected biological processes are of critical importance, as they bridge molecular biology, biochemistry, and translational medicine, offering new insights into pathological mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. In particular, ROS plays a central role: although they are inevitable byproducts of cellular metabolism, their excess, often associated with iron dysregulation, can cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and DNA. One fundamental phenomenon is ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death dependent on iron, which is receiving increasing attention for its therapeutic potential.

Clinically, understanding the mechanisms linking iron metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation provides new opportunities for developing targeted therapies. Diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), and cardiovascular diseases are tightly connected to these dysregulated pathways.
This Research Topic invites contributions that explore the following key areas of research:

• Iron metabolism and inflammation: mechanisms of iron regulation and its impact on inflammatory responses in pathological conditions.

• Oxidative stress and ROS in inflammatory diseases: the role of ROS in inflammation and cellular damage, particularly in diseases associated with iron dysregulation.

• Ferroptosis and immune response: ferroptosis and its relationship to inflammation and immune system modulation.

• Therapeutic strategies: innovative therapies targeting iron metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation in chronic diseases.

• Clinical implications: clinical applications for treating inflammatory, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases associated with iron dysregulation.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: iron, iron dysregulation, iron proteins, antioxidant, oxidative stress, ROS, inflammation, ferroptosis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.