hemosiderin

biochemistry

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

Hemosiderin is a yellowish-brown, iron-containing pigment found within cells, primarily macrophages. It is composed mainly of aggregates of ferritin and is typically associated with bleeding and the breakdown of red blood cells.1

Hemosiderosis refers to the excessive deposition of hemosiderin in bodily tissues, such as the liver, spleen, or lungs. This condition usually results from bleeding, red blood cell breakdown, or repeated transfusions, and it is generally not accompanied by tissue damage.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

respiratory disease
Immunologic conditions
…accumulation of the iron-containing substance hemosiderin in the lung tissues. The lung may also be involved in a variety of ways in the disease known as systemic lupus erythematosus, which is also believed to have an immunologic basis. Pleural effusions may occur, and the lung parenchyma may be involved. These…
Read More
…accumulation of the iron-containing substance hemosiderin in the lung tissues. The lung may also be involved in a variety of ways in the disease known as systemic lupus erythematosus, which is also believed to have an immunologic basis. Pleural effusions may occur, and the lung parenchyma may be involved. These…
Read More

Kupffer cell
They also store hemosiderin so that it is available for the production of hemoglobin, the oxygen-transporting component of the red blood cell. Hemosiderin is an iron-containing pigment that is formed from the hemoglobin of red blood cells that have disintegrated.
Read More
They also store hemosiderin so that it is available for the production of hemoglobin, the oxygen-transporting component of the red blood cell. Hemosiderin is an iron-containing pigment that is formed from the hemoglobin of red blood cells that have disintegrated.
Read More