Kittisak Meepoon Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 02, 2025 47 minutes ago
Medical News: A Silent Nutrient Shortage with Serious Immune Consequences
New scientific findings are revealing how a simple lack of dietary iron can quietly weaken the body’s long-term immune defenses against respiratory infections. Researchers from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons have discovered that when the body is low in iron during a flu infection, the memory T cells formed in the lungs become permanently impaired. These cells normally stay in lung tissue to act as rapid responders if the virus returns, but this
Medical News report shows that iron deficiency disrupts this process in ways that may never fully heal.
Low iron levels during infection can permanently weaken lung T cell immunity
How Iron Shapes Powerful Immune Memory
The study used mice fed either iron-rich or iron-deficient diets, then infected them with influenza. While all mice formed memory T cells, only those with enough iron developed cells capable of producing strong antiviral signals. In contrast, the iron-deficient group showed memory T cells that looked normal but failed to make interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha—two essential proteins that help kill viruses. Even when researchers later exposed these impaired cells to iron-rich environments, their function did not recover, suggesting long-lasting or even permanent immune damage.
Clear Evidence of Weak Lung Immunity
The research team found several striking effects in the iron-deficient mice. They lost more weight during infection, recovered more slowly, and showed signs of delayed immune activation in the lungs. Although they produced a higher number of flu-specific memory T cells, these cells were significantly weaker. The defects were centered in lung tissue and did not appear in the spleen, proving the impairment was highly localized. The scientists also discovered that even when dendritic cells—the cells that help activate T cells—were given sufficient iron, the damaged lung T cells still could not regain their antiviral strength.
Why This Matters for Children and Vulnerable Groups
Iron deficiency is one of the world’s most common nutritional problems, especially among children and women. The Columbia University researchers warn that if iron levels are low during early-life infections, the resulting immune memory may be flawed for years. This could make individuals more prone to repeat viral infections or increase risks of allergic diseases and asthma. The team is now preparing studies with local pediatric clinics to better understand how these findings translate to human health and child immunity.
Final Thoughts
This study highlights how essential iron is for shaping strong and lasting immune defenses in the lungs. Memory T cells formed in iron-deficient conditions may never fully recover, leaving people more vulnerable to future attacks from flu and possibly other respiratory viruses. Ensuring proper iron intake, especially during childhood, may be critical for building durable
immunity and reducing long-term respiratory risks.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: The Journal of Immunology
https://academic.oup.com/jimmunol/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jimmun/vkaf291/8305832
For the latest on Influenza research, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/influenza-or-flu
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