Anemia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anemia, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, diet, treatment, causes.

In vitro cytokine production in patients with iron deficiency anemia.

Bergman M, Bessler H, Salman H, Siomin D, Straussberg R, Djaldetti M

Department of Medicine C, Rabin Medical Center, Golda Campus, Petah Tiqva 49372, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.

The in vitro production of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 20 patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was examined before and after iron supplementation and compared to values obtained for PBMC from healthy controls. A significant decrease in IL-2 production was observed in IDA patients, whereas the secretion of the other cytokines did not differ from that of controls. Addition of iron to the culture medium did not affect the secretion of IL-2 and IL-1beta, but caused an increase in IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha production. Since a deficiency in IL-2 production plays a role in the pathogenesis of certain infectious and malignant diseases, the results of the present study may explain in part the increased susceptibility to infections observed in patients with IDA.

Published 27 October 2004 in Clin Immunol, 113(3): 340-4.
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