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Results for “Transferrin”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1986

Demonstration of the specific binding of bovine transferrin to the human transferrin receptor in K562 cells: evidence for interspecies transferrin internalization.

Specific binding of ferric bovine transferrin to the human transferrin receptor was investigated using K562 cells propagated in serum-free medium without transferrin supplemented with 10(-5) elemental iron. Affinity chromatography of solubilized extracts of K562 cells surface-labeled with 125I was performed using bovine transferrin- and human transferrin-Sepharose 4B resins. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of resin eluates reveal that bovine transferrin specifically binds a Mr = 188,000 protein which dissociates into a Mr = 94,000 protein under reducing conditions, a finding identical to what is seen with human transferrin. The Mr = 94,000 reduced protein isolated by bovine transferrin resin shows an identical one-dimensional partial proteolytic digestion map with that of the human transferrin receptor. Unlabeled bovine transferrin was shown to specifically compete 125I-labeled human transferrin from the human transferrin receptor on the surface of K562 cells at 4 degrees C in a similar manner as unlabeled human transferrin; however, approximately a 2,000-fold higher concentration of bovine ligand was required to achieve comparable competition (50% inhibition of binding). Indirect immunofluorescence cytolocalization of bovine transferrin in K562 cells grown in serum-free medium supplemented with ferric bovine transferrin reveal patterns similar to those seen for human transferrin (both focal perinuclear and diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence). Monensin treatment results in a dramatic accumulation of bovine ligand in perinuclear aggregates, suggesting that it is recycled through the Golgi, as is human transferrin. K562 cells grown in serum-free medium supplemented with either 300 micrograms/ml of ferric human or ferric bovine transferrin were found to demonstrate superimposable growth curves.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Effects of different transferrin forms on transferrin receptor expression, iron uptake, and cellular proliferation of human leukemic HL60 cells. Mechanisms responsible for the specific cytotoxicity of transferrin-gallium.

We have previously shown that human leukemic cells proliferate normally in serum-free media containing various transferrin forms, but the addition of transferrin-gallium leads to inhibition of cellular proliferation. Because gallium has therapeutic potential, the effects of transferrin-gallium on leukemic cell proliferation, transferrin receptor expression, and cellular iron utilization were studied. The cytotoxicity of gallium is considerably enhanced by its binding to transferrin and cytotoxicity can be reversed by transferrin-iron but not by other transferrin forms. Exposure to transferrin-gallium leads to a marked increase in cell surface transferrin binding sites, but despite this, cellular 59Fe incorporation is inappropriately low. Although shunting of transferrin-gallium to another cellular compartment has not been ruled out, other studies suggest that transferrin-gallium impairs intracellular release of 59Fe from transferrin by interfering with processes responsible for intracellular acidification. These studies, taken together, demonstrate that inhibition of cellular iron incorporation by transferrin-gallium is a prerequisite for inhibition of cellular proliferation.

Cell Division↗

PubMed1990

Synthesis of transferrin and transferrin mRNA in bovine Sertoli cells in culture and in vivo: sequence of partial cDNA clone for bovine transferrin.

Techniques were developed for generating enriched cultures of bovine Sertoli cells and indifferent supporting cells (immature Sertoli cells). The [35S]methionine and [35S]sulfate-labeled proteins secreted by cultured cells were analyzed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and fluorography. The electrophoretic pattern of the major Sertoli cell-secreted proteins was distinct from that of the major proteins secreted by cultured peritubular cells (the predominant contaminating cell type). Five major polypeptides ranging in molecular mass from 22 kDa to 77 kDa were resolved by 2D-PAGE in reducing conditions and were assigned numbers for reference purposes. Polypeptides 1 and 2 appeared to be analogous to two rat Sertoli cell-secreted proteins, sulfated glycoprotein-1 and sulfated glycoprotein-2, because of similar molecular mass, isoelectric point, subunit composition, sulfation, and sialation characteristics. Transferrin was detected in conditioned medium by immunoprecipitation using an antibody to bovine serum transferrin. Cultured Sertoli cells isolated from prepubertal bulls secreted higher levels of transferrin than did cells isolated from infant bulls. An 850 bp cDNA corresponding to the 3' portion of bovine transferrin mRNA was cloned and sequenced. Transferrin message was shown to be present in testicular tissue isolated from infant and prepubertal bulls and it increased as bulls matured. Levels of testicular transferrin mRNA were subsequently shown to correlate with daily sperm production in yearling beef bulls.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1976

Micropinocytosis of transferrin by developing red cells: an electron-microscopic study utilizing ferritin-conjugated transferrin and ferritin-conjugated antibodies to transferrin.

Electron-microscopic examination of rat reticulocytes and normoblasts incubated with transferrin conjugated to ferritin or ferritin-labeled antitransferrin revealed binding of ferritin conjugates to the surface membrane, and uptake of ferritin conjugates in micropinocytotic vesicles. No binding or endocytosis of ferritin was visualized when rat reticulocytes or normoblasts were incubated with ferritin alone or ferritin conjugated to nonspecific rabbit IgG. These observations support the concept that transferrin binds to a surface membrane receptor and is subsequently internalized by the developing red cell. Time course and temperature dependence studies suggest the endocytosis of transferrin may be an important mechanism in delivery of iron to the developing red cell.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Transferrin and transferrin receptor expression in intraocular proliferative disease. APAAP-immunolabeling of retinal membranes and ELISA for vitreal transferrin.

Transferrin (TF) is the major transport protein involved in human iron metabolism. The expression of the cell-surface TF receptor is associated with cellular proliferation, the dominant feature of proliferative vitreoretinal disorders with traction retinal detachment. A total of 14 retinal membranes from patients with different clinical diagnoses contained immunoreactive TF. Expression of the cell-surface TF receptor was confirmed by a monoclonal anti-human TF-receptor antibody label in 11 of the 14 specimens. We developed a noncompetitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for TF and found it to be a significant component of vitreal protein, with a level of 65.7 +/- 33.9 mg/l. Vitreal TF as a major iron acceptor probably has a protective function, but its interaction with macrophages and its growth-promoting activity may subsequently stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1988

Quantitative study of characteristic aqueous humor transferrin, serum transferrin and desialized serum transferrin in aqueous humor.

Total transferrin (Tf) concentration and relative percentages of its subfractions, ie, characteristic aqueous humor Tf (Tfah), serum Tf (Tfs) and desialized serum Tf (Tau), in the aqueous humor of 30 patients were determined. According to the total Tf concentration, these patients were divided into the group with intact or mildly damaged blood aqueous barrier (BAB), consisting of cataract, glaucoma and central retinal artery occlusion patients, and the severely damaged BAB group, consisting of uveitis patients. In the intact or mildly damaged group, Tfah, Tfs and Tau revealed constant ratios of 60%, 26% and 14%; while in the severely damaged group, a relatively high concentration of Tfs was observed. There is only Tfs in the serum, therefore, theoretically, damage of the BAB should lead to an immediate increase of the relative concentration of Tfs in the aqueous humor. Because it did not occur until the BAB had been severely damaged, the possibility of an intraocular interchange of the 3 Tf subfractions is suggested.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Role of transferrin, Fe, and transferrin receptors in myeloid leukemia cell growth. Studies with an antitransferrin receptor monoclonal antibody.

In previous studies, antitransferrin receptor antibody 42/6 inhibited growth of normal granulocyte/macrophage progenitors and some malignant myeloid cells. In these studies, leukemia cell lines cultured without serum and fresh leukemia cells were used to investigate the roles of Fe, transferrin receptors, and transferrin in leukemia cell growth, and mechanisms of 42/6 inhibition and resistance. HL60 and KG-1 leukemia cells grown in serum-free medium were inhibited by 42/6. In contrast to results in fetal calf serum (FCS), soluble Fe (ferric nitriloacetate) reversed 42/6 growth inhibition of serum-free HL60 cells. When HL60 cells were adapted for growth in serum-free, transferrin-free medium, they became refractory to 42/6 growth inhibition. By using radiolabeled transferrin and 42/6, HL60 cells cultured in FCS and transferrin displayed similar quantities of transferrin receptors (29,000-30,000/cell) and similar Kd's (3.8-4.9 X 10(-9) M). Cells grown in transferrin-free medium showed a similar Kd (3.1 X 10(-9) M), but fewer transferrin binding sites (5,000/cell). Transferrin-independent cells contained a log higher concentration of intracellular ferritin. For both FCS and serum-free HL60 cells, calculated affinities for 42/6 were lower (5.7-10.0 X 10(-9) M), but the number of binding sites was three- to fourfold higher. To investigate further the relationship between receptor display and antibody inhibition in proliferating normal and malignant myeloid cells, simultaneous immunofluorescence was used to determine the cell cycle status of transferrin receptor-positive cells. Malignant cells in S + G2/M displayed approximately 50% of the amount of transferrin receptors detected in normal dividing colony-stimulating factor-stimulated marrow cells. Receptor display by dividing cells from two patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia was variable. When HL60 cells were exposed to dimethyl sulfoxide, transferrin receptor display decreased, and 42/6 growth inhibition was abrogated or greatly diminished. The presence of 42/6 did not prevent dimethyl sulfoxide-induced HL60 differentiation in serum-containing or serum-free cultures. We conclude that human leukemia cells require Fe for growth and that 42/6 inhibits transferrin-dependent cells by Fe deprivation. Some dividing normal and differentiating malignant cells display reduced transferrin receptors, and can also escape antibody inhibition. The increased ferritin levels and decreased transferrin receptors in transferrin-independent HL60 cells confirm the inverse relationship between cell ferritin content and transferrin receptor display. These studies indicate a critical role for Fe in leukemia cell growth and possible roles in cellular differentiation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1990

Inhibition of the receptor-mediated endocytosis of diferric transferrin is associated with the covalent modification of the transferrin receptor with palmitic acid.

The human transferrin receptor is post-translationally modified by the covalent attachment of palmitic acid to Cys62 and Cys67 via a thio-ester bond. To investigate the role of the acylation of the transferrin receptor, Cys62 and Cys67 were substituted with serine and alanine residues. The properties of the mutant receptors were compared with wild-type receptors after expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells that lack endogenous transferrin receptors. Rapid incorporation of [3H]palmitate into the wild-type transferrin receptor was observed, but the mutant receptors were found to be palmitoylation-defective. The kinetics of endocytosis and recycling of the wild-type and mutant receptors were compared. It was observed that the rate of endocytosis of the palmitoylation-defective transferrin receptors was significantly greater than the rate measured for the wild-type transferrin receptor. In contrast, the mutation of Cys62 and Cys67 was found to have no significant effect on the rate of transferrin receptor recycling. Consistent with these observations, it was found that cells expressing palmitoylation-defective transferrin receptors exhibited an increased rate of accumulation of [59Fe]diferric transferrin. Together, these data indicate that the palmitoylation of the transferrin receptor is associated with an inhibition of the rate of transferrin receptor endocytosis. Addition of insulin to cultured cells causes an increase in the palmitoylation of cell surface transferrin receptors and a decrease in the rate of transferrin receptor internalization. It was observed that the effect of insulin to inhibit the endocytosis of the acylation-defective [Ala62 Ala67]transferrin receptor was attenuated in comparison with the wild-type receptor. The decreased effectiveness of insulin to inhibit the internalization of the acylation-defective transferrin receptor is consistent with the hypothesis that palmitoylation represents a potential mechanism for the regulation of transferrin receptor endocytosis.

Acylation↗

PubMed1989

Comparison of the kinetics of cycling of the transferrin receptor in the presence or absence of bound diferric transferrin.

The kinetics of cycling of the transferrin receptor in A431 human epidermoid-carcinoma cells was examined in the presence or absence of bound diferric transferrin. In order to investigate the properties of the receptor in the absence of transferrin, the cells were maintained in defined medium without transferrin. It was demonstrated that Fab fragments of a monoclonal anti-(transferrin receptor) antibody (OKT9) did not alter the binding of diferric 125I-transferrin to the receptor or change the accumulation of [59Fe]diferric transferrin by cells. OKT9 125I-Fab fragments were prepared and used as a probe for the function of the receptor. The first-order rate constants for endocytosis (0.16 +/- 0.02 min-1) and exocytosis (0.056 +/- 0.003 min-1) were found to be significantly lower for control cells than the corresponding rate constants for endocytosis (0.22 +/- 0.02 min-1) and exocytosis (0.065 +/- 0.004 min-1) measured for cells incubated with 1 microM-diferric transferrin (mean +/- S.D., n = 3). The cycling of the transferrin receptor is therefore regulated by diferric transferrin via an increase in both the rate of endocytosis and exocytosis. Examination of the accumulation of OKT9 125I-Fab fragments indicated that diferric transferrin caused a marked decrease in the amount of internalized 125I-Fab fragments associated with the cells after 60 min of incubation at 37 degrees C. Diferric transferrin therefore increases the efficiency of the release of internalized 125I-Fab fragments compared with cells incubated without diferric transferrin. These data indicate that transferrin regulates the sorting of the transferrin receptor at the cell surface and within endosomal membrane compartments.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1988

Transferrin and iron in cultured chick embryonic neurons: a comparison between human and chick transferrins.

Transferrin was not required for the short-term survival of cultured chick retinal neurons. Both human and chick transferrin failed to enhance the in vitro survival of 8- or 11-day embryonic chick retinal neurons when cultured in a defined medium. Furthermore, maintenance of neurons in the presence of chick transferrin antibody did not alter in vitro survival. Retinal neurons, however, could bind and internalize human or chick transferrin when assayed for by fluorescence immunohistochemical techniques. Binding and internalization of chick transferrin appeared to be greater than human transferrin. Iron uptake was measured in cultures maintained in the absence of transferrin. After incubation with 59FeCl3, iron uptake was 3.5 +/- 1.1 fmoles/cell. The presence of chick transferrin antibody did not significantly alter the amount of iron uptake occurring in this assay. In a comparison of human and chick transferrin mediated iron uptake, chick transferrin was 50% more effective than human transferrin in transporting iron. This study demonstrates that cultured embryonic retinal neurons are not dependent on transferrin for survival or iron uptake, although they actively bind and internalize transferrin. Results also demonstrate that whereas cultured chick retinal neurons can bind and utilize human transferrin, they do so with less efficiency than chick transferrin.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Transferrin saturation, plasma iron turnover, and transferrin uptake in normal humans.

The relationship between plasma iron, transferrin saturation, and plasma iron turnover was studied in 53 normal subjects whose transferrin saturation varied between 17% and 57%, in 25 normal subjects whose transferrin saturation was increased by iron infusion to between 67% and 100%, and in five subjects with early untreated idiopathic hemochromatosis whose transferrin saturation was continually elevated to between 61% and 86%. The plasma iron turnover of all of these subjects ranged from 0.45 to 1.22 mg/dL whole blood/d. The mean values for the above-mentioned three groups were 0.71 +/- 0.17, 1.01 +/- 0.11, and 1.01 +/- 0.13 mg/dL whole blood/d, respectively. Most of this variation, estimated at 72% by regression analysis, was due to a direct relationship between transferrin saturation and plasma iron turnover. This effect was attributed to a competitive advantage of diferric over monoferric transferrin in delivering iron to tissues. This was confirmed by the demonstration of a more rapid clearance of diferric as compared to monoferric transferrin in an additional group of eight normal subjects. Calculations were made of the amount of transferrin reacting with membrane receptors per unit time. Allowance was made for the noncellular (extravascular) exchange and for the 4.2:1 preference of diferric over monoferric transferrin demonstrated in vitro. The amount of iron-bearing transferrin leaving the plasma to bind to tissue receptors for 53 subjects with a transferrin saturation between 17% and 57% was 71 +/- 13; for 25 subjects with a saturation from 67% to 100%, 72 +/- 12; and for five subjects with early idiopathic hemochromatosis, 82 +/- 11 mumol/L whole blood/d. There were no significant differences among these groups. These studies indicate that while the number of iron atoms delivered to the tissues increases with increasing plasma iron and transferrin saturation, the number of iron-bearing transferrin molecules that leave the plasma per unit time to bind to tissue receptors is relatively constant and within the limits studied, independent of transferrin saturation.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

Trophoblast transferrin and transferrin receptors in the host--parasite relationship of human pregnancy.

Transferrin and specific transferrin receptors are demonstrated on the microvillous surface of syncytiotrophoblast in human immature and term placentae by immuno histological techniques with the use of light and electron microscopy. That the distribution of transferrin is limited to the materno-foetal interface supports the hypothesis that binding of maternal transferrin to trophoblast receptors is involved in the process of iron transport to the foetus. Parallel studies with baboon placentae demonstrate the presence of trophoblast receptors which bind both baboon and human transferrin, thereby putting forward an experimental model which might be used to test the biological significance of placental transferrin receptors in primates. In addition, investigation of a large number of human cell lines shows that many transformed cells, but no normal cells (such as blood lymphocytes) or cells from primary culture (such as neonatal foreskin fibroblasts), possess the ability to bind transferrin to their membranes. These findings suggest that transferrin receptors may play important biological roles in addition to that of iron transport from mother to foetus. One such role could be the limitation of iron in intervillous spaces, thus depriving iron-requiring microorganisms of iron, hence serving as a non-specific factor of resistance for placentae. Another role for foetal transferrin receptors on trophoblasts could be to bind maternal transferrin at the materno-foetal interface, thus frustrating maternal immunosurveillance. This is similar to a mechahism used by schistosomes in the host-parasite relation where host proteins are bound by the parasite to escape immunological recognition. The presence of transferrin receptors on transformed cells suggests that this mechanism might also be employed by tumour cells. Finally, in view of previous studies which show that transferrin is required by stimulated lymphocytes to pass from the G1 to the S phase of cellular replication, it is proposed that trophoblast transferrin receptors could limit the amount of transferrin in intervillous spaces and thus impede the proliferation and possible cytotoxicity of maternal activated lymphocytes at the materno-foetal interface.

Female↗

PubMed1990

Immunolocalization of transferrin and transferrin receptor in mouse small intestinal absorptive cells.

The mechanisms by which the duodenal mucosa absorbs iron are unknown. Insorption into absorptive cells of luminal iron bound to transferrin via receptor-mediated endocytosis has been hypothesized, but transferrin and transferrin receptor are absent in apical microvillous brush borders of small bowel biopsies taken from fasted patients and normal volunteers. We hypothesized that a normal iron-containing diet might induce the transient appearance of transferrin and transferrin receptor in apical brush borders of small intestinal absorptive cells in a normal mouse that was provided iron-containing chow until the moment of sacrifice. Light and electron microscopic immunolocalization of transferrin and transferrin receptor in proximal small intestinal absorptive cells was limited to basolateral membranes and coated pits of cells predominantly in the crypts and basal regions of the villi. Transferrin and transferrin receptor were not detected in apical microvillous brush border membranes of these enterocytes. In parallel immunolocalization protocols designed to show the ability to immunodetect other antigens at these locations, maltase and proteoglycan were demonstrated in apical microvillous brush border membranes and in basolateral membranes, respectively, in absorptive cells of small intestinal villous tip, base, and crypt regions. Furthermore, transferrin and transferrin receptor were immunolocalized in hepatocyte sinusoidal microvillus membranes. We conclude that food does not induce the appearance of immunodetectable transferrin and transferrin receptor in the apical microvilli of small intestinal absorptive cells and, therefore, that these iron transport proteins are not involved in the apical microvillous membrane transport of luminal dietary iron.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Transferrin and tooth morphogenesis: retention of transferrin by mouse embryonic teeth in organ culture.

Transferrin is the only serum protein that is required for the early morphogenesis of mouse embryonic teeth in organ culture. Transferrin is able to support tooth morphogenesis and dental cell differentiation by stimulating cell proliferation. Its role in this process is restricted exclusively to iron transport, which takes place by receptor-mediated endocytosis of iron-loaded transferrin. A lipophilic iron chelator, pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH), can replace transferrin and support tooth morphogenesis in organ culture. We studied the effects of these two iron transporters on cell proliferation in tooth germs during culture. We found that Fe-PIH and transferrin stimulate proliferation to a similar extent in early cap-stage teeth of 14-day mouse embryos, but have no effect on cell proliferation in bell-stage teeth of 16-day mouse embryos. Day-16 teeth undergo morphogenesis in unsupplemented chemically defined medium, whereas transferrin or Fe-PIH is needed for the morphogenesis of day-14 teeth. Although the need for exogenous iron-transport molecules is lost with advancing development, the level of mitotic activity is still fairly high in bell-stage teeth. The abundant binding of transferrin in areas of active cell proliferation in bell-stage teeth also suggests that transferrin is still needed and used for the transport of iron into proliferating cells. Transferrin is not degraded by the process of receptor-mediated endocytosis. After releasing iron into a cell, transferrin is returned to the extracellular space and is reused. We therefore studied whether the transferrin needed by bell-stage teeth could be adequately supplied by endogenous transferrin synthesized or stored in tissue explants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Hemin inhibits internalization of transferrin by reticulocytes and promotes phosphorylation of the membrane transferrin receptor.

Addition of hemin to reticulocytes inhibits incorporation of iron from transferrin [Ponka, P. & Neuwirt, J. (1969) Blood 33, 609-707]. Heme also regulates protein synthesis in immature erythroid cells through its effects on phosphorylation of the initiation factor eIF-2. We have therefore examined its effects on endocytosis of iron-transferrin and phosphorylation of the transferrin receptor. Hemin (10-50 microM) reduced iron transport but increased cell-associated transferrin. When intracellular iron delivery was inhibited by NH4Cl, no such increase in cell-associated transferrin was seen. During uptake of 125I-labeled transferrin in the steady state, the use of a washing technique to dissociate bound transferrin on the cell membrane showed that radioligand accumulated on the surface of hemin-treated cells. Hemin reduced the initial influx of transferrin, thereby diminishing incorporation of iron. Receptor phosphorylation was investigated by immunoprecipitation of reticulocyte extracts after metabolic labeling with [32P]Pi. In the absence of ligand, phosphorylated receptor was chiefly localized on cell stroma. Exposure to transferrin increased cytosolic phosphorylated receptor from 15-30% to approximately 50% of the total, an effect overcome by hemin treatment. Addition of hemin in the presence of transferrin enhanced net phosphorylated receptor in the reticulocyte in association with a redistribution of phosphorylated receptor to stromal membranes. The findings suggest a possible relationship of phosphorylation to endocytosis of the transferrin receptor in reticulocytes.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Ultrastructural localization of transferrin, transferrin receptor, and iron-binding sites on human placental and duodenal microvilli.

Ultrastructural methods were used to determine the subcellular location of the transferrin receptor, transferrin and iron-binding sites on human term placenta and human duodenum microvillus surfaces. The transferrin receptor and transferrin were localized by immunocytochemical methods employing either OKT9, a human transferrin receptor monoclonal antibody, or mouse anti-human transferrin (ATfn), both followed by a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG (GAM-HRP) and diaminobenzidine (DAB) sequence. Iron-binding sites were localized by acid ferrocyanide (AF) staining after saturation of tissue specimens with iron, accomplished with iron nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA), a known transferrin iron donor. Placental microvillus surfaces demonstrated staining for the OKT9-GAM-HRP-DAB-reactive transferrin receptor, ATfn-GAM-HRP-DAB-reactive transferrin, and FeNTA-AF-reactive iron acceptor, whereas enterocyte microvillus surfaces lacked significant staining with each of these methods. FeNTA-AF stained iron-binding substance in placental and enterocyte microvilli and cytoplasmic matrix. Thus using the same ultrastructural immunostaining and cytochemical methods transferrin receptor, transferrin, and nitrilotriacetate iron acceptor sites can be demonstrated on the microvillus surface of human placenta but not on the microvillus surface of human duodena.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1987

Uptake of gallium-67 by human leukemic cells: demonstration of transferrin receptor-dependent and transferrin-independent mechanisms.

We have studied the role of transferrin and the transferrin receptor in the uptake of 67Ga by the human leukemic cell line HL60. In the absence of transferrin, HL60 cells incorporated about 1% of the 67Ga dose over 6 h. The presence of transferrin increased cellular 67Ga uptake approximately 10-fold. Transferrin-mediated uptake of 67Ga was blocked by an anti-transferrin receptor monoclonal antibody, and decreases in the density of cellular transferrin receptors led to corresponding decreases in the transferrin-dependent uptake of 67Ga. Changes in the cellular ferritin content did not significantly influence the uptake of 67Ga by either transferrin-independent or transferrin-dependent pathways. Regardless of the mechanism of uptake, a significant amount of intracellular 67Ga was found to be associated with immunoprecipitable ferritin as well as with a free pool. This free intracellular 67Ga appeared to be kinetically active since cells released 67Ga back to the media over time. Our results demonstrate the existence of a dual mechanism for the cellular uptake of 67Ga and suggest that the preferential uptake of 67Ga by lymphomas is related to the high density of transferrin receptors known to be expressed by these tumors in vivo.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1989

Growth-stimulating effect of transferrin on a hybridoma cell line: relation to transferrin iron-transporting function.

The relation of the growth-stimulating capacity of transferrin to its iron-transporting function was investigated in mouse hybridoma PLV-01 cells cultivated in a chemically defined medium. The cells were precultivated in protein-free medium supplemented either with ferric citrate (cells with a high intracellular iron level) or with iron-saturated transferrin (cells with a low intracellular iron level). Iron uptake was monitored after the application of 59Fe-labeled ferric citrate or pig transferrin. Cultivation of the cells at the optimum growth-stimulating concentration (500 microM) of ferric citrate resulted in an intracellular iron level about 100-fold higher than that of cells cultivated at the optimum transferrin concentration (5 micrograms/ml). Replacement of pig transferrin with bovine transferrin resulted in similar intracellular iron levels, but the growth-stimulating effect of bovine transferrin was more than one order of magnitude lower. Cells with a high intracellular iron level grew equally well when cultivated with iron-saturated transferrin or with apotransferrin + deferoxamine (2 micrograms/ml). On the other hand, cells with a low intracellular iron level required iron-saturated transferrin for further growth and apotransferrin + deferoxamine was ineffective. The results suggest that transferrin can act as a cell growth factor only in the iron-saturated form. However, several findings of this work indicate that supplying cells with iron cannot be accepted as the full explanation of the transferrin growth-stimulating effect.

Animals↗