Transferrin and iron uptake by rat hepatocytes in culture

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Abstract
Hepatic Fe and transferrin metabolism was studied using rat transferrin doubly labeled with 59Fe and 125I and adult rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture. Fe uptake was linear for 48 h while transferrin uptake was biphasic. Total transferrin and Fe uptake increased in a linear manner as the transferrin concentration was raised up to at least 130 .mu.M. This indicates that transferrin and Fe are taken up primarily by nonspecific processes, possibly by endocytosis (absorptive or fluid) and by the action of Fe chelators. Some evidence indicated the presence of receptors for diferric transferrin on hepatocytes: the molar ratio of Fe to transferrin accumulation increased with incubation time; transferrin and Fe uptake was proportional to the Fe saturation of the transferrin; apotransferrin displaced bound apotransferrin but had no effect on the binding of diferric transferrin and the molar ratio of Fe to transferrin uptake decreased with increasing transferrin concentrations.