Definition

Ferritin (FERR) is a ubiquitous intracellular protein that stores and releases iron in a controlled manner. Almost all living things produce this protein, including archaea, bacteria, algae, higher plants, and animals. Acts as the main iron storage protein within prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, keeping iron in a soluble and non-toxic form. In the human body, it functions as a buffer for iron deficiency and iron overload.

Ferritin is present as a cytoplasmic protein in most tissues, but is secreted in small amounts into serum and plays the role of siderophore. Plasma ferritin is also an indirect marker of the total amount of iron stored in the body; Therefore, serum ferritin is used as a diagnostic test for iron deficiency anemia. The aggregated ferritin is converted into a toxic form of iron called hemosiderin. Ferritin is a globular protein complex of hollow nanocages with multiple metal-protein interactions composed of 24 protein subunits. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, a nutrient necessary for the production of healthy red blood cells and the distribution of oxygen throughout the body. When the body needs iron, small amounts of ferritin are released from cells and circulate in the bloodstream. The ferritin level reflects the total amount of iron stored in the body. The level of Ferritin reflects the total iron stored in the body. Too little or too much iron in the body can reflect health issues. A ferritin test is indicated if there are signs of anemia, iron overload, or after a complete blood count (CBC) showing low hemoglobin or hematocrit levels.

Fig. 1 Structure of the murine ferritin complex

Function

Ferritin is an iron storage protein that is the primary iron storage mechanism and essential for iron homeostasis. Ferritin enables iron to be used for critical cellular processes while protecting lipids, DNA, and proteins from iron's potentially toxic effects. Changes in ferritin are common in clinical practice and usually reflect iron homeostasis or metabolic disturbances. It is increasingly recognized that ferritin also plays a role in a variety of other diseases, including inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and malignant diseases.

Ferritin is an important indicator of redox balance in cells and is often altered in a variety of diseases such as chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cancer. Identification of specific microbial communities and bacterial-derived metabolites that modulate host ferritin may help to understand pathophysiology and disease management. We need to successfully develop in vitro co-culture of mammalian cells and in vivo colonization of sterile gut models to determine the precise mechanisms by which gut microbiota or microbiome-derived metabolites regulate mammalian ferritin pathways.

Clinical Application

Ferritin is often significantly elevated in people with primary liver cancer, and ferritin is associated with leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, lung cancer, and breast cancer.

Hematological abnormalities are often associated with chronic liver disease. In cirrhosis, both iron overload and iron deficiency anemia are present. The former is mainly due to a decrease in hepcidin levels due to a decrease in the synthetic capacity of the liver, while the latter is due to acute and chronic bleeding due to portal hypertension. In chronic liver disease, elevated levels of liver and serum ferritin have been consistently reported. Studies have shown that high serum ferritin levels are associated with an increased risk of short-term death in people with cirrhosis with acute decompensation and chronic onset acute liver failure.

A high ferritin level indicates excess iron or an acute inflammatory response in which ferritin is mobilized but iron is not in excess. For example, ferritin may be higher at the time of infection, but there is no signaler iron overload. Ferritin is also used as a marker for iron overload disorders such as hemochromatism or hemosiderosis. Adult Still's disease, some porphyrias, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis are disorders in which ferritin levels may be abnormally elevated.

Fig .2 Ferritin-Test

The reference range of serum ferritin is generally 30-300 ng/mL for men and 30-160 ng/mL for women. Human serum ferritin levels below 50 ng/mL are indicative of iron insufficiency. Serum ferritin is most commonly obtained in combination with other iron parameters to assess iron status in a person. Of the various laboratory values of iron testing, serum ferritin is most useful in diagnosing iron deficiency. Although bone marrow iron-stained biopsy remains the gold standard, low serum ferritin (<12 ng/mL) is highly specific for iron deficiency.

Alpha Lifetech Inc. is dedicated to developing FERR diagnostic regents. Alpha Lifetech Inc. is a reputable supplier focusing on research, manufacture and sales of In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) regents. All the IVD regents offered by Alpha Lifetech Inc. have undergone strict QC validation and are certified by the COA (certificate of analysis). Meanwhile, we can provide customized services according to customers' requirements. Alpha Lifetech Inc. is committed to supply high-quality, high-sensitivity antigen and antibody products for scientific research and industrial customers. In addition to regular small packages, Alpha Lifetech Inc.'s large-scale fermentation platform also allows us to provide raw material-grade IVD regents for the majority of industrial customers.

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