title: [The functions of iron in the defense against infections, and especially the importance of abnormalities in phagocytosis in iron overload].
abstract: The biological functions of iron result from its catalytic properties and from its ability to stimulate the formation of potentially toxic oxydant radicals. In living organisms, both properties are modulated or controlled by the interactions of the metal with specific proteins. Essential element for both man and pathogenic germs, iron exerts many functions which are crucial in the defence against infections. Both host and microorganisms possess mechanisms allowing them to harvest iron. Furthermore, the potential biological toxicity of the metal is utilized in the host's phagocytes. Iron deficiency and overload lead to complex alterations of these mechanisms and may predispose to some infections. One of these abnormalities concerns the phagocytosis of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils observed in iron overload. Recent studies conducted by our group confirm the hypothesis that these functional disturbances of polymorphonuclear neutrophils may be due to the autotoxicity of non protein bound iron.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Fondu
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000502:physiology; D010587:Phagocytosis
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D007501:Iron
vernacular_title: Les rôles du fer dans la défense contre les infections, et plus particulièrement l'importance des anomalies de la phagocytose au cours des états de surcharge en fer.