Ferritin in cultured human cytotrophoblasts: Synthesis and subunit distribution

Regulation of transferrin receptor synthesis by human cytotrophoblast cells in culture

“…However, this explanation of the results fails. As previously shown the trophoblast cells take up FAC very rapidly, resulting in a clear increase in ferritin iron load and stimulation of denovo ferritin synthesis [14]. In contrast, supplementation of M199 with hTf-2Fe only resulted in a marginal rise of the cellular iron content [14,15], despite the fact that the rate of iron uptake from hTf-2Fe was about 80-110 pmol/h/mg cell protein [2,14,15].…”

“…Expression of TfRs is part of the biochemical differentiation of the trophoblast cells towards syncytiotrophoblast or syncytiotrophoblast-like structures [7,12]. The total number of TfRs (as well as the surface TfR population) could, to some degree, be up-or downregulated, depending on the culture conditions with respect to iron depletion or iron supplementation [5,13,14]. This suggests that the differentiating trophoblast cell is able to adjust the rate of TfR synthesis to the momentary needs.…”

Anemia and iron deficiency: effects on pregnancy outcome

“…Transfer of iron from the mother to the fetus is supported by a substantial increase in maternal iron absorption during pregnancy and is regulated by the placenta (3,4). Serum ferritin usually falls markedly between 12 and 25 wk of gestation, probably as a result of iron utilization for expansion of the maternal red blood cell mass.…”

Malaria during pregnancy and foetal haematological status in Blantyre, Malawi

“…In general, studies suggest that most substances can cross the placenta, with the rate dependent on molecular weight, such that those with larger molecular weights cross slowly and those with molecular weights under 500 daltons quite rapidly [21]. Erythropoietin, a protein with a large molecular weight, is undetectable on the placental side opposite its origin [22], and it is likely that high molecular weight sequesters other large molecules like ferritin [23] on the side of the placenta on which they were produced. A placental perfusion study of inflammatory cytokine transfer suggested that TNF-α, a cytokine measured in this study, does not readily cross from the maternal to the foetal side of the placenta, although IL-6, which was not assayed in this study, appears to cross the placenta bidirectionally [24].…”