Iron regulates microglial cell-mediated secretory and effector functions.
Iron homeostasis and macrophage physiology are tightly intertwined. In the present study, we evaluated the influence of iron loading on the constitutive and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced functional and secretory properties of microglial cells, using the in vitro established murine cell line BV-2. We demonstrate that iron augments the basal and IFN-gamma plus LPS-enhanced anti-Candida albicans activity exerted by BV-2 cells and that the phenomenon occurs with no enhancement of phagocytic activity. Furthermore, when the secretory properties of IFN-gamma plus LPS-treated BV-2 cells were assessed, we found that tumor necrosis factor remains unchanged while nitric oxide production is significantly reduced in iron-loaded cells. The addition of the iron chelator deferiprone (L1) reverts the effects of iron on BV-2 functional and secretory properties. These data suggest that iron differently affects secretory and effector functions of BV-2 microglial cells, thus implying that iron interferes with murine microglial cell physiology.
Saleppico
S
S
Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Mazzolla
R
R
Boelaert
J R
JR
Puliti
M
M
Barluzzi
R
R
Bistoni
F
F
Blasi
E
E
D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D017628:Microglia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000276:immunology; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid; C020326:ferric nitrilotriacetate