Cited by 281Iron Metabolism and DisordersFerroptosis and cancer prognosisIron and Steelmaking Processes

Macrophages and Systemic Iron Homeostasis

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Ganz, Tomas·2012·Journal of Innate Immunity

Abstract

As a principal aspect of their scavenging function, splenic and hepatic macrophages phagocytize and degrade senescent and damaged erythrocytes to recover iron, mainly for the production of hemoglobin in new erythrocytes but also for other carriers and enzymes requiring iron. Splenic red pulp macrophages are specialized for iron recycling with increased expression of proteins for the uptake of hemoglobin, breakdown of heme and the export of iron. In humans, recycling macrophages contribute the majority of the iron flux into extracellular fluid, exceeding the contribution of dietary iron absorption and release of stored iron from hepatocytes. Iron release from macrophages is closely regulated by the interaction of hepcidin, a peptide hormone produced by hepatocytes, with the macrophage iron exporter ferroportin. In addition to their homeostatic role, macrophages employ multiple mechanisms to contain microbial infections by depriving microbes of iron. This review discusses the iron-scavenging function of macrophages in the context of iron homeostasis and host defense.

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  • Inside infected macrophages, a pathogen's access to Fe may be limited by natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (SLC11A1).

    “Inside infected macrophages, a pathogen's access to Fe may be limited by natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (SLC11A1, formerly Nramp1).”

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Authors
Ganz, T.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Corresponding author
Ganz, Tomas
Venue
Journal of Innate Immunity
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2012
Volume
4
Issue
5-6
Pages
446-453
ISSN
  • 1662-811X (ISSN-L)
  • 1662-8128
OpenAlex
W2041361488
Cited by
281
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 3
FWCI
3.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Innate Immunity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Iron and Steelmaking Processes
Keywords
macrophages, hepatic macrophages, hepcidin, ferroportin, iron export, heme degradation, host defense
MeSH terms
Ferroportin, Adult, Animals, Erythrocytes, Homeostasis, Humans, Iron, Macrophages, Male, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Cation Transport Proteins, Mice, Cytophagocytosis, Hepcidins

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