Impact of iron treatment on immune effector function and cellular iron status of circulating monocytes in dialysis patients

Abstract

Intravenously administered iron is taken up by monocytes and leads to short-term activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway. However, increased circulating ferritin levels are associated with an impaired immune response of monocytes. In addition, circulating hepcidin concentrations may determine the erythropoietic response to iron injection by modifying iron retention within monocytes.