Do low ferritin levels reflect low Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Interferon-stimulated gene 18 (ISG18)?

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Last updated: February 10, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Relationship Between Ferritin and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Interferon-stimulated gene 18 (ISG18)

  • The relationship between low ferritin levels and low IL-1β and ISG18 is not directly addressed in the provided studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • However, the studies suggest that ferritin levels are associated with inflammatory responses and cytokine regulation, including IL-1β and other interleukins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • For example, a study found that low-dose IL-2 subcutaneous immunotherapy decreased ferritin mean levels and increased transferrin values in cancer patients 1.
  • Another study found that elevated ferritin levels were associated with raised levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in patients with AA amyloidosis 2.
  • A more recent study found that elevated ferritin levels, mediated by IL-18, were associated with systemic inflammation and mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 3.
  • Additionally, a study found that high levels of ferritin, IL-18, and sCD163 receptor were associated with "hyperferritinemic syndrome" in COVID-19 patients, but no significant correlation was found between the rise of ferritin and the levels of sCD163 or IL-18 4.
  • Furthermore, a study found that pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNFα, and IFNγ, modulated iron metabolism in a monocyte cell line, affecting transferrin uptake, iron handling, and ferritin mRNA expression 5.

Cytokine Regulation of Iron Metabolism

  • The studies suggest that cytokines, including IL-1β, play a role in regulating iron metabolism and ferritin levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • For example, IL-1β was found to decrease transferrin-iron uptake and affect the proportion of iron associated with ferritin in a monocyte cell line 5.
  • Additionally, IL-18 was found to mediate the association between elevated ferritin levels and systemic inflammation and mortality in ARDS 3.

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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