Suppressive effect of iron on in vitro lymphocyte function: formation of iron polymers as a possible explanation.
The evidence presented here indicates that ferric citrate inhibits both the phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation and the formation of E rosettes by T lymphocytes. These inhibitory effects are only observed in the presence of ferric citrate with a metal to ligand molar ratio of (1:1) but not with ferric citrate (1:20) or sodium citrate. Since ferric citrate (1:1) at a physiological pH tends to hydrolyze and polymerize, we suggest that the inhibitory effect is mediated by the formation of iron polymers.
D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007501:Iron / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D012397:Rosette Formation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007501:Iron