Iron metabolism in the mononuclear phagocyte system

The maintenance of body iron homeostasis requires the coordination of multiple regulatory mechanisms of iron metabolism. The mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS, composed of monocytes, macrophages, and their precursor cells) is crucial in the maintenance of iron homeostasis. Recycling of iron is carried out by specialized macrophages via engulfment of aged erythrocytes. The iron stores of macrophages depend on the levels of recovered and exported iron. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying iron homeostasis in macrophages are poorly understood. Recent studies characterizing the function and regulation of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), HLA-linked hemechromatosis gene (HFE), ferroportin 1 (FPN1), and hepcidin are rapidly expanding our knowledge on the molecular level of MPS iron handling. These studies are deepening our understanding about the molecular mechanism of iron homeostasis and iron-related diseases.