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What Are Hemosiderin-Laden Macrophages?

Mark Wollacott
Mark Wollacott

Hemosiderin-laden macrophages are basically a white blood cell infused with a large amount of an iron-storing compound called hemosiderin. Iron is a toxic metal that is found in the blood and in a number of organs such as the spleen, liver and also in bone marrow. Hemosiderin-laden macrophages are most likely to be found in the blood around a blood hemorrhage.

Macrophages or white blood cells, as they are more commonly known, are one of the body’s primary defense mechanisms. They are eukaryotic cells that either provide general defense or specific targeted defense. This is akin to the distinction between a police patrol and a special investigation into a crime. In non-specific defense encounters, the white blood cell identifies a foreign element, usually a pathogen, and eats it. In a targeted attack, specific types of white blood cells are summoned by chemical compounds to deal with a specific target such as a pathogen.

The pathogens are eaten via the process of phagocytosis and are caught in the white blood cell’s phagosome. Enzymes then break the pathogen down into its constituent parts. The enzymes, however, will eventually kill the white blood cell itself.

Macrophages promote tissue growth and repair following an injury.
Macrophages promote tissue growth and repair following an injury.

Hemosiderin, as found in hemosiderin-laden macrophages, is one of many compounds used by the human body to store iron. The molecule compound is never found free in the body’s circulatory system, but is always found within cells. It is most commonly found in white blood cells and cells that are used to store iron.

All hemosiderin-laden macrophages create hemosiderin using hemoglobin in the blood. It first eats the hemoglobin via phagocytosis and then breaks it down. The degradation process creates hemosiderin and also porphyrin as a byproduct. The hemosiderin is then used, by an enzyme, to bind the iron to make it safe within the white blood cell.

Hemosiderin-laden macrophages are basically a white blood cell infused with a large amount of an iron-storing compound.
Hemosiderin-laden macrophages are basically a white blood cell infused with a large amount of an iron-storing compound.

Hemorrhages occur when a rent in a tissue within the body allows blood to leak out. Bleeding can be dangerous to the body and, in severe cases, can lead to a drop in blood pressure and, ultimately, death. Such hemorrhages can occur both internally and externally. Naturally, internal hemorrhages are harder to spot, as the blood leaks within the body.

Hemosiderin corrals inactive heme iron inside certain cells, such as spleen and liver cells, preventing the body from amassing high levels of unbound iron.
Hemosiderin corrals inactive heme iron inside certain cells, such as spleen and liver cells, preventing the body from amassing high levels of unbound iron.

Holes and rents in tissues that cause bleeding are repaired, if possible, by platelets in the blood. The role of hemosiderin-laden macrophages appears to be either to store iron that may leak out of the tissue or to protect the body from the effects of loose toxic iron in the blood. This appears to be a secondary protective function of the white blood cell.

Discussion Comments

SimpleByte

@Nefertini, the treatment depends on the cause of the condition since the underlying condition like a hemorrhage or liver or pulmonary disease must be treated. Iron chelating drugs that help remove iron from the blood may be prescribed as well as drugs to stabilize blood pressure. In pulmonary hemosiderosis, doctors may use corticosteroids.

Nefertini

@SimpleByte - What's the treatment for hemosiderosis? In the case of a hemorrhage, hemosiderin-laden machrophages serve a useful purpose. In the conditions you mentioned, though, too much hemosiderin poses some serious problems since excess iron in the blood can be toxic to the body's organs.

SimpleByte

Hemosiderin can accumulate in diseases like sickle cell anemia or thalessemia that cause blood loss and the need for multiple blood transfusions. The depositing of hemosiderin results in a condition called hemosiderosis, an overload of iron in the blood. A hereditary condition called hemochromatosis can also result in too much iron in the blood. This disease causes excess iron to build up in the liver, pancreas, and other areas of the body. In secondary hemochromatosis, the excess iron is caused by an underlying disorder like liver disease rather than by hereditary factors.

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    • Macrophages promote tissue growth and repair following an injury.
      By: vvoe
      Macrophages promote tissue growth and repair following an injury.
    • Hemosiderin-laden macrophages are basically a white blood cell infused with a large amount of an iron-storing compound.
      By: extender_01
      Hemosiderin-laden macrophages are basically a white blood cell infused with a large amount of an iron-storing compound.
    • Hemosiderin corrals inactive heme iron inside certain cells, such as spleen and liver cells, preventing the body from amassing high levels of unbound iron.
      By: stockshoppe
      Hemosiderin corrals inactive heme iron inside certain cells, such as spleen and liver cells, preventing the body from amassing high levels of unbound iron.