The influenza virus or flu is a contagious respiratory illness that can generate mild, moderate, or severe symptoms. Healthy individuals that contract the virus may feel mild symptoms, but recover within a few days; however, those with an immune deficiency have to be much more careful. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have an algorithm that predicts the most likely virus strain that will spread each year. Scientists then develop a vaccine to distribute as a preventative measure and build “herd immunity”. Annual flu vaccinations are very common and most institutions within the US ask their employees to get vaccinated to avoid viral outbreaks. Herd immunity is when a large number of the population is immune to a specific illness or disease. The disease is less likely to spread and provides overall protection to the community, specifically those who cannot get vaccinated. It is critical to maintain a healthy immune system by receiving annual vaccinations and stay up-to-date on prevalent viral strains.
In addition to annual vaccinations, individuals can take steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. It has previously been reported that diet and exercise improve the immune system, but recently scientists have discovered that dietary iron is necessary for immune cell activity. An article in The Journal of Immunology, by Dr. Thomas Connors and others, articulate how deficiency in iron can impair immune cell function. Connors is a Pediatric Critical Care Physician and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. His work focuses on viral infections in children and how to effectively eliminate disease. Specifically, he investigates immune cell responses and ways to boost immunity.
Connors and his team conclude that a lack of dietary iron dysregulates lung immune cell response to viral infections. Researchers used mice to test their hypothesis and demonstrate the need for dietary iron. When scientists analyzed immune cells in mice with iron deficiency and influenza, they found a lack of activity and immune signal. Consequently, these cells could not fight infection and were not able to regain function even after administration of healthy iron levels. This work indicates that iron is necessary for lung immune cell activity. Additionally, this may explain why iron deficiency is linked to asthma. Scientists emphasize the impact the discovery has on healthcare since women and children have higher rates of iron deficiency. The direct link between iron and cell function could help develop therapeutic strategies to overcome iron/immune deficient patients.
Researcher conducted further experiments in mice and fed one group a diet rich in iron and the other low in iron. The mice were then infected with influenza and found that specific immune cells, known as T cells, were stronger and able to react to infection in mice obtaining the iron-rich diet. In mice receiving iron-low diet, the T cells were unable to generate a signal to elicit an immune response. Interestingly, this issue was lung specific and could not be reversed. Researchers plan to continue their research and better understand the role of iron in lung immunity.
Article, The Journal of Immunology, Thomas Connors, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
