The expression of ferritin, lactoferrin, transferrin receptor and solute carrier family 11A1 in the host response to BCG-vaccination and Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge

► Splenocytes from BCG and naïve guinea pigs were used to study ferritin levels. ► Ferritin was suppressed in vaccine-derived cells after PPD stimulation. ► TNFα and NO were involved in ferritin suppression. ► Microarray revealed suppression of further iron-related genes after M. tuberculosis infection. ► The regulation of iron is an important mechanism induced by BCG-vaccination.