title: Leukocyte production of IFN-γ and TNF-α in 8- to 12-y-old children with low serum iron levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Iron deficiency is likely the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide; low iron concentrations have been related to alterations in immune system functions; therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of low serum iron (LSI) concentrations on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by peripheral blood leukocytes in 8- to 12-y-old children from a local community.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained 120 blood samples and determined full blood counts and serum iron concentrations. An LSI and a control group, paired by age and sex were established using serum iron <60 μg/dL as the cutoff point. Ferritin and C-reactive protein concentrations were quantified. Serum interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations were measured in these groups by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A second blood sample was taken from children in both groups to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and measure IFN-γ and TNF-α production by unstimulated and lipopolysaccharide/phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin-stimulated leukocytes in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the participants in the present study, 17.5% (21 children) presented LSI, as well as decreased ferritin concentrations. Differential counts from total blood samples showed a significant increase in leukocyte numbers in the LSI group, along with increased neutrophil frequencies and numbers but decreased lymphocyte frequencies. Decreased serum IFN-γ concentrations and decreased in vitro production of IFN-γ by PBMCs were found in the LSI group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study suggest that low iron levels alter leukocyte subpopulations in circulation and have a detrimental effect on leukocyte production of proinflammatory cytokines after an antigenic challenge.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Tollocan s/n esq. Jesús Carranza, Colonia Moderna de la Cruz, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Irazú
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.affiliation: UMAE, Hospital General, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, México.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paredes-Cervantes
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Tollocan s/n esq. Jesús Carranza, Colonia Moderna de la Cruz, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: García-Miranda
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Tollocan s/n esq. Jesús Carranza, Colonia Moderna de la Cruz, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Francisco Bernardo
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Pliego-Rivero
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neuroquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Paseo Tollocan s/n esq. Jesús Carranza, Colonia Moderna de la Cruz, Toluca, Estado de México, México. Electronic address: Jaestradag@uaemex.mx.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Estrada
mesh_terms: D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D061207:Calcium Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015759:Ionomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D061207:Calcium Ionophores; C573415:IFNG protein, human; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008934:Mitogens; C439524:TNF protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015759:Ionomycin; C016658:phorbolol myristate acetate; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate
keywords: Cytokines; Immune response; Leukocytes; Low serum iron