SLC40A1 and infection: With respect to iron availability, it is essential that iron levels in the host be tightly controlled to hinder the development of microorganismal infections within the host by (1) supporting the capacity of iron-binding proteins in the host plasma to limit iron availability to hinder the growth and virulence of microorganisms and (2) diminishing the intracellular host iron by targeting TBI or NTBI uptake processes, increasing ferritin-bound iron/reducing ferritinophagic processes, and increasing FPN-mediated iron export.