Iron homeostasis in the lung.
Iron is essential for many aspects of cellular function. However, it also can generate oxygen-based free radicals that result in injury to biological molecules. For this reason, iron acquisition and distribution are tightly regulated. Constant exposure to the atmosphere results in significant exposure of the lungs to catalytically active iron. The lungs have a mechanism for detoxification to prevent associated generation of oxidative stress. Those same proteins that participate in iron uptake in the gut are also employed in the lung, to transport iron intracellularly and sequester it in an inactive form within ferritin. The release of metal is expedited (as transferrin and ferritin) from lung tissue to the respiratory lining fluid for clearance by the mucocilliary pathway or to the reticuloendothelial system for long-term storage. This pathway is likely to be the major method for the control of oxidative stress presented to the respiratory tract.
Ghio
Andrew J
AJ
National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA. ghio.andy@epa.gov
Turi
Jennifer L
JL
Yang
Funmei
F
Garrick
Laura M
LM
Garrick
Michael D
MD
D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress
D033862:Iron-Binding Proteins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron