Complex Interactions in Regulation of Haematopoiesis—An Unexplored Iron Mine

Abstract

Iron is one of the most abundant metals on earth and is vital for the growth and survival of life forms. It is crucial for the functioning of plants and animals as it is an integral component of the photosynthetic apparatus and innumerable proteins and enzymes. It plays a pivotal role in haematopoiesis and affects the development and differentiation of different haematopoietic lineages, apart from its obvious necessity in erythropoiesis. A large amount of iron stores in humans is diverted towards the latter process, as iron is an indispensable component of haemoglobin. This review summarises the important players of iron metabolism and homeostasis that have been discovered in recent years and highlights the overall significance of iron in haematopoiesis. Its role in maintenance of haematopoietic stem cells, influence on differentiation of varied haematopoietic lineages and consequences of iron deficiency/overloading on development and maturation of different groups of haematopoietic cells have been discussed.