Use of ferritin to treat iron deficiency disorders

Abstract

H-ferritin receptors on endothelial cells In rat brain rat brain microvasculature are a means for transporting iron across the blood brain barper. A method for treating an iron deficiency disorder in the brain of a patient comprises administepng to a patient in need an H- ferritin-iron complex. A method for using H-ferritin as a targeting moiety comprises attaching H-ferritin to a liposome targeted to the brain or cells within the brain. A method for treating an iron overload disorder in a patient comprises administering to a patient a multi subunit ferritin complex at less than 100% iron binding capacity.

Description

[0001] Continuing Application Information

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 886,972, filed January 29, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 984,007, filed October 31, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety This article is incorporated by reference. Background of the invention

[0003] Ferritin, the major intracellular iron storage protein in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, is a large multi-subunit complex (almost 480 kDa) comprising 24 polypeptide subunits. This iron storage complex is present in high concentrations in serum and can contain up to 4,500 iron ions (Fe 3+ ). In mammals, there are two distinct subunit species, heavy (H) with a molecular weight of approximately 21 kDa and light (L) with a molecular weight of 19 kDa, which share approximately 54% sequence identity. The H and L subunits exhibit distinct functions: the L subunit increases the stability of the iron core, while ...

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