Role of Ferritin in Immunity, Inflammation and Malignancy

Abstract

Since it has been used as the principal iron storage protein in cells for over 70 years, ferritin has been the subject of ongoing research. Recently the multifunctional role of ferritin protein has been observed with potential involvement in proliferation, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, and iron transport, as per several studies and evidence. Ferritin may promote tumour growth, promote angiogenesis, and suppress the immune system of the host. A higher ferritin level in cancer cells is linked to disease progression, therapy resistance, and a worse prognosis. Additionally, certain cancer cells have the ability to generate ferritin, which allows them to be partially independent of external iron supplies, or they can rob iron from nearby cells and tissues and retain it as ferritin to maintain their accelerated multiplication. The purpose of this research is to review the available information about the role of ferritin in immunity, inflammation and malignancy. Elevated ferritin levels are among the significant factors affecting defence mechanism during infection, which deprive bacterial growth of iron and safeguard immune cell function. Additionally, it might be protective by reducing free radical generation and regulating immunomodulation. With levels that reflect the severity of acute and chronic inflammation in infectious, rheumatologic, hematologic, and neoplastic disease, serum ferritin is a well-known acute-phase reactant. While it is well established that ferritin levels and inflammatory activity are correlated, and ferritin has a direct causative role in mediating inflammatory diseases. However further research is needed to elaborately study the role and mechanism of ferratin in inflammation, immunity and malignancy.