Effects of iron transferrin and zinc transferrin on ferritin synthesis by human lymphocytes

Using a single-incubation two-site immunoradiometric assay, ferritin levels in human peripheral blood lymphocytes have been quantitated up to 72 h in culture. Ferritin levels were found to increase markedly when the cells were treated with phytohemagglutinin or with iron transferrin (in the presence or absence of phytohemagglutinin). On the other hand, zinc transferrin, with or without iron transferrin in the culture medium and in the presence and absence of phytohemagglutinin, produced a dose-dependent decrease in cellular ferritin compared to controls. Additionally, the increase in lymphocyte ferritin produced by phytohemagglutinin and iron transferrin appears to require transcriptional and translation events.