UPTAKE OF ALUMINUM AND GALLIUM INTO TISSUES OF THE RAT: INFLUENCE OF ANTIBODY AGAINST THE TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR

Transport of aluminum and gallium from blood into rat tissues following continuous iv infusion of metals in different chemical forms has been investigated. Tissue uptake of aluminum and gallium was similar and highly dependent on the chemical species of the metals. Aluminum and gallium accumulated in liver and spleen when infused in the chloride form. Raised citrate markedly enhanced aluminum and gallium uptake into renal cortex and bone; in contrast with gallium-transferrin, citrate increased uptake of67Ga into renal cortex and bone by 8- and 14-fold respectively. Uptake of67Ga with citrate into renal cortex was around 3 times smaller than that of aluminum. The antitransferrin receptor antibody OX-26 enhanced67Ga uptake from gallium citrate into all rat tissues.67Ga from purified gallium-transferrin was also taken into all tissues in the presence of OX-26, the effect being greatest in renal cortex and bone. No influence of antibody on aluminum transport into rat tissues was, however, observed when aluminum was infused in the citrate form. Therefore, transport of aluminum and gallium into tissues is not similar under all conditions. Transport of each metal occurs into all tissues in the presence of antitransferrin receptor antibody. The potential for such transport is much greater in the case of gallium. Transport of aluminum and gallium citrate complexes appears important especially in the renal cortex and bone.