Iron Handling by Macrophages

Polarization dictates iron handling by inflammatory and alternatively activated macrophages.

BACKGROUND Macrophages play a key role in iron homeostasis. In peripheral tissues, they are known to polarize into classically activated (or M1) macrophages and alternatively activated (or M2) macrophages. Little is known on whether the polarization program influences the ability of macrophages to store or recycle iron and the molecular machinery involved in the processes. DESIGN AND METHODS ...

Iron Handling in Tumor-Associated Macrophages—Is There a New Role for Lipocalin-2?

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process. Besides somatic mutations in tumor cells, stroma-associated immunity is a major regulator of tumor growth. Tumor cells produce and secrete diverse mediators to create a local microenvironment that supports their own survival and growth. It is becoming apparent that iron acquisition, storage, and release in tumor cells is different from healthy counterparts...

Activating transcription factor 1 directs Mhem atheroprotective macrophages through coordinated iron handling and foam cell protection.

RATIONALE Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) drives atherosclerosis through the dual metabolic stresses of cholesterol-enriched erythrocyte membranes and pro-oxidant heme/iron. When clearing tissue hemorrhage, macrophages are typically seen storing either iron or lipid. We have recently defined hemorrhage-associated macrophages (HA-mac) as a plaque macrophage population that responds adaptively to IP...

Macrophages and systemic iron homeostasis.

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 h...

Molecular Medicine Activating Transcription Factor 1 Directs Mhem Atheroprotective Macrophages Through Coordinated Iron Handling and Foam Cell Protection