The acute phase response impacts iron transport by which of the following?

The acute phase response impacts iron transport by which of the following?

• A. Enhancing iron uptake by cells
• B. Suppressing iron transport
• C. Increasing transferrin saturation
• D. Increasing iron release from stores

Answer: (B)

During an acute-phase response, inflammatory signals raise hepatic hepcidin production. Hepcidin binds to ferroportin, the iron exporter on enterocytes and macrophages, triggering its internalization and degradation. With ferroportin limited, iron cannot be exported into the bloodstream, so iron transport is suppressed. Plasma iron falls and transferrin saturation decreases, while iron is more likely stored intracellularly as ferritin. This sequestration helps limit iron availability to pathogens during inflammation.

During an acute-phase response, inflammatory signals raise hepatic hepcidin production. Hepcidin binds to ferroportin, the iron exporter on enterocytes and macrophages, triggering its internalization and degradation. With ferroportin limited, iron cannot be exported into the bloodstream, so iron transport is suppressed. Plasma iron falls and transferrin saturation decreases, while iron is more likely stored intracellularly as ferritin. This sequestration helps limit iron availability to pathogens during inflammation.