Iron in blood cells: Function, relation to disease, and potential for magnetic separation

Iron in blood cells has several physiological functions like transporting oxygen to cells and maintaining iron homeostasis. Iron is primarily contained in red blood cells (RBCs), but monocytes also store iron as these cells are responsible for the recycling of senescent RBCs. Iron also serves an important role related to the function of different leukocytes. In inflammation, iron homeostasis is dependent on cytokines derived from T cells and macrophages. Fluctuations of iron content in the body lead to different diseases. Iron deficiency, which is also known as anemia, hampers different physiological processes in the human body. On the other hand, genetic or acquired hemochromatosis ultimately results in iron overload and leads to the failure of different vital organs. Different diagnoses and treatments are developed for these kinds of disorders, but the majority are costly and suffer from side effects. To address this issue, magnetophoresis could be an attractive technology for the diagnosis (and in some cases treatment) of these pathologies due to the paramagnetic character of the cells containing iron. In this review, we discuss the main functions of iron in blood cells and iron-related diseases in humans and highlight the potential of magnetophoresis for diagnosing and treating some of these disorders.

Automated summary

Iron plays a vital role in blood cells, including oxygen transport and iron homeostasis. Iron is primarily found in red blood cells, but it is also stored in monocytes for the recycling of senescent red blood cells. Iron is important for the function of different leukocytes and its homeostasis is influenced by cytokines during inflammation. Fluctuations in iron content can lead to various diseases, such as anemia and hemochromatosis. Magnetophoresis is a promising technology for diagnosing and treating these iron-related disorders due to the paramagnetic nature of iron-containing cells.