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Review
. 2010 Aug;1800(8):760-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2010.03.011. Epub 2010 Mar 19.

Serum ferritin: Past, present and future

Wei Wang  1 , Mary Ann Knovich, Lan G Coffman, Frank M Torti, Suzy V Torti
Affiliations
Review

Serum ferritin: Past, present and future

Wei Wang et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Serum ferritin was discovered in the 1930s, and was developed as a clinical test in the 1970s. Many diseases are associated with iron overload or iron deficiency. Serum ferritin is widely used in diagnosing and monitoring these diseases.

Scope of review: In this chapter, we discuss the role of serum ferritin in physiological and pathological processes and its use as a clinical tool.

Major conclusions: Although many aspects of the fundamental biology of serum ferritin remain surprisingly unclear, a growing number of roles have been attributed to extracellular ferritin, including newly described roles in iron delivery, angiogenesis, inflammation, immunity, signaling and cancer.

General significance: Serum ferritin remains a clinically useful tool. Further studies on the biology of this protein may provide new biological insights.

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