• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

J Immunol . Dietary iron deficiency impairs effector function of memory T cells following influenza infection

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
J Immunol


. 2025 Oct 29:vkaf291.
doi: 10.1093/jimmun/vkaf291. Online ahead of print. Dietary iron deficiency impairs effector function of memory T cells following influenza infection

Marissa C Bradley[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Tolani Aliyu[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Joshua Gray[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Tianci Guan[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Francesca La Carpia[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Emma Idzikowski[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Isaac J Jensen[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sheila Bandyopadhyay[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Rebecca Guyer[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Kalpana Pethe[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Eldad A Hod[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Thomas J Connors[SUP] 4 [/SUP]



Affiliations
Abstract

The establishment of memory T cell responses is critical to protection against pathogens and is influenced by the conditions under which memory formation occurs. Iron is an essential micronutrient for multiple immunologic processes and nutritional deficiency is a common problem worldwide. Despite its prevalence, the impact of nutritional iron deficiency on the establishment of memory T cell responses is poorly understood. In this study we investigate the impact of nutritional iron deficiency on the generation, phenotype, and function of memory T cell responses using a murine model of dietary iron modulation in the context of influenza infection. Iron deficient mice have decreased systemic iron levels and develop significant anemia. Increased T cell expression of the transferrin receptor (CD71) is seen in iron deficient mice at baseline. During primary influenza infection, iron deficient mice experience increased weight loss but mount antigen specific T cells responses. Following recovery from infection, influenza specific memory T cells formed under iron deficient conditions are functionally impaired, most notably within the lung. Importantly, the ability to produce interferon γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) remains impaired in CD8+ T cells despite co-culture with iron replete dendritic cells. These results establish a critical effect of nutritional iron deficiency on T cell memory development and function.


 
Back
Top