Non-Transferrin-Bound Iron (NTBI) Uptake by T Lymphocytes: Evidence for the Selective Acquisition of Oligomeric Ferric Citrate Species

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079870
• Publication Date: 2013-11-21T22:30:29Z
• Authors: Joao Arezes; Monica Costa; Ines Vieira; Vera Dias; Xiao L. Kong; Rui Fernandes; Matthijn Vos; Anna Carlsson; Yuri Rikers; Graça Porto; Maria Rangel; Robert C. Hider; Jorge P. Pinto
• Keywords: Transferrin receptor

Iron is an essential nutrient in several biological processes such as oxygen transport, DNA replication and erythropoiesis. Plasma iron normally circulates bound to transferrin. In overload disorders, however, concentrations exceed transferrin binding capacity appears complexed with low molecular weight molecules, known non-transferrin-bound (NTBI). NTBI responsible for the toxicity associated iron-overload pathologies but mechanisms leading uptake are not fully understood. Here we show first time that T lymphocytes able take up accumulate a manner resembles of hepatocytes. Moreover, both hepatocytes oligomeric Fe3Cit3 preferentially other iron-citrate species, suggesting existence selective carrier. These results provide tool identification still elusive ferric-citrate cellular carrier may also open new pathway towards design more efficient chelators treatment disorders.