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Brain Iron Toxicity: Differential Responses of Astrocytes, Neurons, and Endothelial Cells

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An Erratum to this article was published on 01 September 2007

Abstract

Iron accumulation or iron overload in brain is commonly associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and also plays a role in cellular damage following hemorrhagic stroke and traumatic brain injury. Despite the brain’s highly regulated system for iron utilization and metabolism, these disorders often present following disruptions within iron metabolic pathways. Such dysregulation allows saturation of proteins involved in iron transport and storage, and may cause an increase in free ferrous iron within brain leading to oxidative damage. Not only do astrocytes, neurons, and brain endothelial cells serve unique purposes within the brain, but their individual cell types are equipped with distinct protective mechanisms against iron-induced injury. This review evaluates iron metabolism within the brain under homeostatic and pathological conditions and focuses on the mechanism(s) of brain cellular iron toxicity and differential responses of astrocytes, neurons, and brain vascular endothelial cells to excessive free iron.

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Abbreviations

BBB:

Blood-brain barrier

CNS:

Central nervous system

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

PD:

Parkinson’s disease

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, 79106-1712, USA

    Julie A. Gaasch & Paul R. Lockman

  2. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Pharmacy, 4209 State Route 44, Rootstown, OH, 44272-9698, USA

    Werner J. Geldenhuys, David D. Allen & Cornelis J. Van der Schyf

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  1. Julie A. Gaasch
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  2. Paul R. Lockman
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  3. Werner J. Geldenhuys
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  4. David D. Allen
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  5. Cornelis J. Van der Schyf
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Correspondence to Cornelis J. Van der Schyf.

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Special issue dedicated to Dr. Moussa Youdim.

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11064-007-9488-5

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Gaasch, J.A., Lockman, P.R., Geldenhuys, W.J. et al. Brain Iron Toxicity: Differential Responses of Astrocytes, Neurons, and Endothelial Cells. Neurochem Res 32, 1196–1208 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-007-9290-4

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