Developing human erythroid cells grown in transferrin‐free medium utilize iron originating from extracellular ferritin

Abstract
In addition to transferrin, ferritin can also function as a source of iron for heme synthesis (Gelvin D, et al. Blood 1996;88:3200–3207; Meyron-Holtz EG, et al. Blood 1999;94:3205–3211). In the present study we investigate the effect of external ferritin on the proliferation and hemoglobinization of human erythroid precursors grown in transferrin-free cultures. Am. J. Hematol. 73:211–212, 2003.