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Inhalation as a Source of Iron in Secondary Iron Overload

Inhalation as a Source of Iron in Secondary Iron Overload I read with interest the case report by Nicolson et al. [1] describing a patient with secondary iron overload following inhalation of iron. Iron uptake by the lung with systemic translocation is supported by prior rodent investigations [2]. The expression of proteins which participate in iron import, export, storage, and transport can be identified among cells resident in the lung, including the respiratory epithelial cell (e.g. divalent metal transporter 1, ferroportin 1, ferritin, and transferrin and its receptor, respectively) [3]. However, for the uptake of inhaled iron with systemic translocation to be realized, ferroportin 1 (the major iron exporter currently recognized) would have to be positioned at the basilar aspect of the respiratory epithelial cell (toward the basement membrane). While ferroportin 1 has been identified in the respiratory epithelial cell, this protein localizes more to the apical surface (toward the airways and alveolar lumen). Such localization implies that iron is both imported and released at the airways and alveolar lumen rather than toward any vascular structure, which might distribute the metal systemically [4]. The specific positioning of ferroportin 1 at the apical membrane of the respiratory epithelial cell suggests that iron uptake with systemic translocation is not a function for which the lung was designed. Iron overload following inhalation of the metal would accordingly be an infrequent event. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Acta Haematologica Karger

Inhalation as a Source of Iron in Secondary Iron Overload

Acta Haematologica , Volume 131 (1): 1 – Jan 1, 2013

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References (4)

Publisher
Karger
Copyright
© 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
ISSN
0001-5792
eISSN
1421-9662
DOI
10.1159/000354822
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

I read with interest the case report by Nicolson et al. [1] describing a patient with secondary iron overload following inhalation of iron. Iron uptake by the lung with systemic translocation is supported by prior rodent investigations [2]. The expression of proteins which participate in iron import, export, storage, and transport can be identified among cells resident in the lung, including the respiratory epithelial cell (e.g. divalent metal transporter 1, ferroportin 1, ferritin, and transferrin and its receptor, respectively) [3]. However, for the uptake of inhaled iron with systemic translocation to be realized, ferroportin 1 (the major iron exporter currently recognized) would have to be positioned at the basilar aspect of the respiratory epithelial cell (toward the basement membrane). While ferroportin 1 has been identified in the respiratory epithelial cell, this protein localizes more to the apical surface (toward the airways and alveolar lumen). Such localization implies that iron is both imported and released at the airways and alveolar lumen rather than toward any vascular structure, which might distribute the metal systemically [4]. The specific positioning of ferroportin 1 at the apical membrane of the respiratory epithelial cell suggests that iron uptake with systemic translocation is not a function for which the lung was designed. Iron overload following inhalation of the metal would accordingly be an infrequent event.

Journal

Acta HaematologicaKarger

Published: Jan 1, 2013

Keywords: Iron overload and/or its evaluation; Iron; Iron absorption

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