“Crucial role for lung iron level and regulation in the pathogenesis and severity of asthma.” M.K. Ali, R.Y. Kim, A.C. Brown et al. Eur Respir J 2020; 55: 1901340.

Increased divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) expression in the airways correlates with impaired lung function in asthma patients. a, d) DMT1 and TFR1 mRNA expression was quantified in the airway tissues collected from seven severe asthmatic patients, seven mild-moderate asthmatic patients and six healthy controls using quantitative PCR (relative to the reference gene β-actin). b, e) DMT1 and TFR1 expression levels negatively correlate with % predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) and c, f) FEV₁/forced vital capacity (FVC). Correlations for each comparison are represented as Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (Spearman's rho (r)). TFR1 mRNA expression in the bronchial brushings of asthma patients from within the Unbiased BIOmarkers in PREDiction of respiratory disease outcomes (U-BIOPRED) cohort are shown in (g). TFR1 expression was positively correlated with h) Group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) gene signature, i) interleukin 4 (IL4), j) IL5 and k) IL13 expression. Data are presented as mean±SEM, unless otherwise stated. *: p<0.05 compared to respective controls; **: p<0.01 compared to respective controls.