We and other investigators have previously shown that iron deficiency, the most common nutritional disorder in children and women of childbearing age, impairs cell-mediated immunity and reduces lymphocyte proliferation by mechanisms that remain elusive. Given the importance of iron for normal functioning of certain enzymes, we postulate that decreased lymphocyte proliferation is due to interrelated but specific defects in some early events in the lymphocyte activation pathways. Some of these events may be related to changes in plasma membrane composition leading to alteration of signal transduction, and others may be iron- dependent and may directly affect DNA synthesis. Our goal is to identify some of these events in a mouse model in which it is possible to induce iron deficiency (by feeding a low iron diet) without concomitant deficiencies in other nutrients that frequently occur in humans. Data to be collected will allow us to understand which events are affected by different degrees of iron deficiency and which ones are not.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Minority School Faculty Development Awards (K14)
Project #
1K14HL003144-01A1
Application #
2211208
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1-CCT-L (F1))
Project Start
1995-07-01
Project End
1999-06-30
Budget Start
1995-07-01
Budget End
1996-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Louisiana State University Hsc New Orleans
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
782627814
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70112