Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
12:05
Database-guided Flow-cytometry for Evaluation of Bone Marrow Myeloid Cell Maturation
Published on: November 3, 2018
11.5K
Folate metabolism in myelofibrosis: a missing key?
Giacomo Maria Cerreto1, Giulia Pozzi1, Samuele Cortellazzi1
1Department of Medicine and Surgery, Anatomy Unit, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, 43126, Italy.
Annals of Hematology
|January 23, 2025
Summary
Unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) accumulation may worsen inflammation and cancer. This review explores folate metabolism
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Hematology
Background:
- Folates are essential enzyme cofactors in biological processes.
- Folic acid supplementation, while common, can lead to unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) accumulation.
- UMFA is linked to chronic inflammation and cancer, potentially by stimulating cancer cells and altering cytokine expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review folate metabolism in normal and malignant hematopoietic cells.
- To discuss the implications of folate metabolism and UMFA in myelofibrosis (MF).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of folate metabolism, UMFA, and myelofibrosis.
- Analysis of folate receptor interactions and cytokine modulation.
Main Results:
- Folates can stimulate cancer cells and modulate inflammatory gene expression.
- Myelofibrosis is characterized by inflammation and bone marrow fibrosis.
- Folate supplementation is often used in MF treatment for anemia.
Conclusions:
- Understanding folate metabolism is crucial for comprehending MF biology.
- The role of UMFA in MF warrants further investigation.
- Potential therapeutic strategies targeting folate pathways in MF may be explored.
Keywords:
Chronic inflammationFolate receptorFolic acidMyelofibrosisMyeloproliferative neoplasmsOne-carbon metabolismMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Hematopoiesis
The process of blood cell formation is called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis starts early during development, on the seventh day of embryogenesis. This phase of hematopoiesis is called the primitive wave, wherein the extraembryonic yolk sac allows the production of erythroid cells and endothelial cells from a common precursor called hemangioblast. The erythroid cells provide oxygen to support the growth of the rapidly dividing embryo. Hemangioblasts later develop into hematopoietic stem cells or...
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
01:09Introduction to Fibroblasts
Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
01:20Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
01:28Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acid biosynthesis is a fundamental biochemical process that produces the purine and pyrimidine nucleotides essential for DNA and RNA synthesis. This pathway maintains a balanced nucleotide pool, preventing imbalances that could jeopardize genetic integrity and cellular function. Given the crucial role of nucleotides, their synthesis is tightly regulated to ensure proper cellular homeostasis.Purine BiosynthesisThe biosynthesis of purine nucleotides begins with ribose-5-phosphate, a...