Intracellular iron accumulation

Intracellular iron accumulation refers to the pathological build-up of iron within cells, which typically occurs due to dysregulation of iron uptake, storage, or export. This process is governed by proteins such as transferrin receptor 1 (responsible for iron uptake via transferrin), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1, mediates ferrous iron import), regulatory proteins IRP1/IRP2 (control iron metabolism at the mRNA level), and storage proteins like ferritin (buffers excess iron). Iron accumulation leads to increased formation of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the Fenton reaction, resulting in oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and cell or tissue injury, and is implicated in diverse pathologies including cancer, neurodegeneration, kidney injury, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Pharmacological intervention typically involves iron chelation therapy, and tissue or serum ferritin is frequently used as a biomarker for iron status. For structured data mapping, it is recommended to specify a precise molecular entity (such as "Transferrin receptor 1" or "Divalent metal transporter 1") rather than the generic process of intracellular iron accumulation.

Other names

Intracellular iron overloadIron homeostasis dysregulationCellular iron dysregulation

Chelation of labile iron pool within cells; Reduction of oxidative stress and ROS formation; Alteration of iron import or export by modulating iron transporter expression or activity