Interference of Aluminium with iron uptake: Investigation of mechanisms involved.

PÉREZ G; PREGI N; GARBOSSA G; NESSE A

Stoke-on-Trent, UK

Congreso; Fifth Keele Meeting on Aluminium; 2003

Aluminium (Al) is considered a factor that impairs erythropoiesis since its inhibitory effect upon erythroid progenitor growth was demonstrated. These alterations were found after in vivo Al treatment as well as by addition of Al to cell cultures. Transferrin (Tf), the iron (Fe) transport protein, is also capable of carrying Al. We have previously demonstrated that transferrin receptors (TfR) have similar affinity for TfFe2 and TfAl2 in K562 cells. Otherwise, the presence of Al in the culture medium induced decrease cellular Fe uptake, Fe incorporation to the haem group and haemoglobin synthesis. The precise balance required to maintain appropriate intracellular Fe levels has led to the evolution of several independent cellular Fe transport pathways. Nowadays, it is recognised that Fe can be acquired by either the classical Tf-dependent pathway, which involves the well known TfR1 and the recently described TfR2, or by Tf-independent mechanisms, which function and regulation have not been fully elucidated yet.