The human solute carrier family 11 member 1 protein (SLC11A1): linking infections, autoimmunity and cancer?

SLC11A1 is known to link infections, autoimmunity and cancers. A review is presented of the mechanisms by which a balance is maintained between infections caused by pathogens (viral, bacterial and protozoan; intracellular and extracellular) and disorders resulting from (acute or chronic) inflammation, and of the interactions that determine how the initial innate immune system directs subsequent acquired immune responses in human populations.