title: A possible role for ferritin during inflammation.
abstract: Inflammation induces the hepatic synthesis of the iron storage protein (apo)ferritin, which is released into the circulation, and behaves as an acute phase protein. The biological significance of the extracellular rise in serum (apo)ferritin is unknown. We have observed that (apo)ferritin will stimulate superoxide production from neutrophils in the presence of cytochalasin B across a physiologically appropriate concentration range. We therefore propose that extracellular ferritin has an important role in host defence against bacteraemia by stimulating oxidative metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Rheumatology, Medical School, Birmingham.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brailsford
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lunec
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winyard
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Blake
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001052:Apoferritins / Q000378:metabolism; D003571:Cytochalasin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D005293:Ferritins / Q000502:physiology*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000097:blood; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007700:Kinetics; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000097:blood; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides; D003571:Cytochalasin B; D005293:Ferritins; D001052:Apoferritins; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide