Intracellular Iron Chelation Modulates the Macrophage Iron Phenotype with Consequences on Tumor Progression.

ABSTRACT: A growing body of evidence suggests that macrophage polarization dictates the expression of iron-regulated genes. Polarization towards iron sequestration depletes the microenvironment, whereby extracellular pathogen growth is limited and inflammation is fostered. In contrast, iron release contributes to cell proliferation, which is important for tissue regeneration. Moreover, macrophages constitute a major component of the infiltrates in most solid tumors. Considering the pivotal role of macrophages for iron homeostasis and their presence in association with poor clinical prognosis in tumors, we approached the possibility to target macrophages with intracellular iron chelators. Analyzing the expression of iron-regulated genes at mRNA and protein level in primary human macrophages, we found

SUBMITTER: Mertens C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5091876 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature