Abstract
Ferritin is a ubiquitous and specialised protein involved in the intracellular storage of iron; it is also present in serum and other biological fluids, although its secretion processes are still unclear. We here review evidence supporting the hypothesis that macrophages play a role in the production and secretion of extracellular ferritin, as well as evidence supporting a novel function as a signalling molecule and immune regulator. In particular, H-ferritin, which inhibits the proliferation of lymphoid and myeloid cells, may be regarded as a negative regulator of human and murine hematopoiesis. The idea that it also acts as a signalling protein has been supported by the cloning and characterisation of the specific H-ferritin receptor TIM-2, a member of the TIM gene family. A number of studies of the mouse TIM gene family indicate that this protein plays an important role in immune-mediated diseases. This last finding, together with the fact that ferritin acts as an immuno-suppressor, has allowed us to formulate hypotheses regarding the possible role of alterations of H-ferritin/TIM-2 binding/signalling in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 84-89 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Autoimmunity |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2008 |
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Keywords
- Autoimmune diseases
- Ferritin
- TIM gene family
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy
Cite this
New functions for an iron storage protein : The role of ferritin in immunity and autoimmunity. / Recalcati, Stefania; Invernizzi, Pietro; Arosio, Paolo; Cairo, Gaetano.
In: Journal of Autoimmunity, Vol. 30, No. 1-2, 02.2008, p. 84-89.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - New functions for an iron storage protein
T2 - The role of ferritin in immunity and autoimmunity
AU - Recalcati, Stefania
AU - Invernizzi, Pietro
AU - Arosio, Paolo
AU - Cairo, Gaetano
PY - 2008/2
Y1 - 2008/2
N2 - Ferritin is a ubiquitous and specialised protein involved in the intracellular storage of iron; it is also present in serum and other biological fluids, although its secretion processes are still unclear. We here review evidence supporting the hypothesis that macrophages play a role in the production and secretion of extracellular ferritin, as well as evidence supporting a novel function as a signalling molecule and immune regulator. In particular, H-ferritin, which inhibits the proliferation of lymphoid and myeloid cells, may be regarded as a negative regulator of human and murine hematopoiesis. The idea that it also acts as a signalling protein has been supported by the cloning and characterisation of the specific H-ferritin receptor TIM-2, a member of the TIM gene family. A number of studies of the mouse TIM gene family indicate that this protein plays an important role in immune-mediated diseases. This last finding, together with the fact that ferritin acts as an immuno-suppressor, has allowed us to formulate hypotheses regarding the possible role of alterations of H-ferritin/TIM-2 binding/signalling in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
AB - Ferritin is a ubiquitous and specialised protein involved in the intracellular storage of iron; it is also present in serum and other biological fluids, although its secretion processes are still unclear. We here review evidence supporting the hypothesis that macrophages play a role in the production and secretion of extracellular ferritin, as well as evidence supporting a novel function as a signalling molecule and immune regulator. In particular, H-ferritin, which inhibits the proliferation of lymphoid and myeloid cells, may be regarded as a negative regulator of human and murine hematopoiesis. The idea that it also acts as a signalling protein has been supported by the cloning and characterisation of the specific H-ferritin receptor TIM-2, a member of the TIM gene family. A number of studies of the mouse TIM gene family indicate that this protein plays an important role in immune-mediated diseases. This last finding, together with the fact that ferritin acts as an immuno-suppressor, has allowed us to formulate hypotheses regarding the possible role of alterations of H-ferritin/TIM-2 binding/signalling in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
KW - Autoimmune diseases
KW - Ferritin
KW - TIM gene family
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=38049054790&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jaut.2007.11.003
DO - 10.1016/j.jaut.2007.11.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 18191543
AN - SCOPUS:38049054790
VL - 30
SP - 84
EP - 89
JO - Journal of Autoimmunity
JF - Journal of Autoimmunity
SN - 0896-8411
IS - 1-2
ER -