Biomaterial Database

Superoxide dependent iron release from ferritin in inflammatory diseases. 1988

P Biemond, and A J Swaak, and H G van Eijk, and J F Koster

Department of Biochemistry I, Medical Faculty, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Convincing evidence is presented that oxygen free radicals are involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Superoxide is produced by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) in synovial fluid and by macrophages in the synovial membrane. Tissue damage typical for free radical attack is detected in RA. No absolute deficiency of protective factors is found in RA compared to controls, but the available protection is insufficient to cope with all radicals formed. The toxicity of superoxide is increased by iron. It is doubtful whether a low molecular weight iron pool is present. Superoxide is able to release iron from ferritin, providing a suitable source of iron, for the formation of hydroxyl radicals. This new pathogenetic mechanism stimulates to the application of iron chelators in the treatment of RA. Preliminary results with desferrioxamine were disappointing because of serious side-effects. Hopefully in the future intra-articular injection of iron chelators with better pharmacodynamics will be possible. The interaction of free radicals and ferritin is probably also involved in the pathogenesis of other inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, and haemochromatosus.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007249	Inflammation	A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function.	Innate Inflammatory Response,Inflammations,Inflammatory Response, Innate,Innate Inflammatory Responses
D007501	Iron	A metallic element with atomic symbol Fe, atomic number 26, and atomic weight 55.85. It is an essential constituent of HEMOGLOBINS; CYTOCHROMES; and IRON-BINDING PROTEINS. It plays a role in cellular redox reactions and in the transport of OXYGEN.	Iron-56,Iron 56
D007511	Ischemia	A hypoperfusion of the BLOOD through an organ or tissue caused by a PATHOLOGIC CONSTRICTION or obstruction of its BLOOD VESSELS, or an absence of BLOOD CIRCULATION.	Ischemias
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D005293	Ferritins	Iron-containing proteins that are widely distributed in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Their major function is to store IRON in a nontoxic bioavailable form. Each ferritin molecule consists of ferric iron in a hollow protein shell (APOFERRITINS) made of 24 subunits of various sequences depending on the species and tissue types.	Basic Isoferritin,Ferritin,Isoferritin,Isoferritin, Basic
D005609	Free Radicals	Highly reactive molecules with an unsatisfied electron valence pair. Free radicals are produced in both normal and pathological processes. Free radicals include reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). They are proven or suspected agents of tissue damage in a wide variety of circumstances including radiation, damage from environment chemicals, and aging. Natural and pharmacological prevention of free radical damage is being actively investigated.	Free Radical
D006432	Hemochromatosis	A disorder of iron metabolism characterized by a triad of HEMOSIDEROSIS; LIVER CIRRHOSIS; and DIABETES MELLITUS. It is caused by massive iron deposits in parenchymal cells that may develop after a prolonged increase of iron absorption. (Jablonski's Dictionary of Syndromes & Eponymic Diseases, 2d ed)	Diabetes, Bronze,Bronze Diabetes,Bronzed Cirrhosis,Familial Hemochromatosis,Genetic Hemochromatosis,Haemochromatosis,Hemochromatoses,Iron Storage Disorder,Pigmentary Cirrhosis,Primary Hemochromatosis,Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard Syndrome,Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum Disease,Bronzed Cirrhoses,Cirrhoses, Bronzed,Cirrhoses, Pigmentary,Cirrhosis, Bronzed,Cirrhosis, Pigmentary,Disease, Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum,Diseases, Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum,Disorder, Iron Storage,Disorders, Iron Storage,Familial Hemochromatoses,Genetic Hemochromatoses,Haemochromatoses,Hemochromatose,Hemochromatoses, Familial,Hemochromatoses, Genetic,Hemochromatosis, Familial,Hemochromatosis, Genetic,Iron Storage Disorders,Pigmentary Cirrhoses,Recklenhausen-Applebaum Disease, Von,Recklenhausen-Applebaum Diseases, Von,Storage Disorder, Iron,Storage Disorders, Iron,Syndrome, Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard,Syndromes, Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard,Troisier Hanot Chauffard Syndrome,Troisier-Hanot-Chauffard Syndromes,Von Recklenhausen Applebaum Disease,Von Recklenhausen-Applebaum Diseases
D006505	Hepatitis	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER.	Hepatitides
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006878	Hydroxides	Inorganic compounds that contain the OH- group.