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Receptor‐mediated transcytosis of transferrin across the blood‐brain barrier
Author(s) -
Fishman J. B.,
Rubin J. B.,
Handrahan J. V.,
Connor J. R.,
Fine R. E.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.490180206
Subject(s) - transcytosis , transferrin , blood–brain barrier , transferrin receptor , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , endocytosis , chemistry , neuroscience , endocrinology , biochemistry , central nervous system
The perfusion of rat brain with 125 I‐transferrin resulted in a receptor‐mediated uptake of transferrin into the endothelium of the blood‐brain barrier followed by its detecation in the brain. During a pulsechase experiment, 125 I‐transferrin accumulated in the endothelial cells during the pulse, with a decrease of this intraendothelial radioactivity during the chase associated a concomitant increase in the nonvascular elements of the brain. The receptor‐mediated movement of transferrin across the blood‐brain barrier suggests that the brain may derive its iron through the transcytosis of iron‐loaded transferrin across the brain microvasculature. We discuss the likelihood that aluminum and other potentially toxic heavy metals, which also bind tightly to transferrin, may enter the brain by this pathway. We also discuss the possibility that other large molecules including neuroactive peptides and neurotrophic viruses may enter the brain through a similar receptor‐mediated, vesicular transcytotic route.