Effect of microbial siderophores on mammalian non-malignant and malignant cell lines

BACKGROUND: Iron is a vital nutrient for all cells, and malignant cells have a higher requirement for the metal due to their rapid multiplication. Bacterial siderophores can be used to reduce free ferric ion concentration from the cellular environment. METHODS: In the present study, we have evaluated effect of three siderophores – exochelin-MS, mycobactin S and deferoxamine B on the proliferation of mammalian cell lines using MTT assay. RESULTS: These siderophores caused a significant decrease in the viability of malignant cells, without significantly affecting non-malignant cells. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we suggest that iron-chelation therapy could be explored as an adjunctive therapeutic option against cancer along with other therapies.