The use of Chang cells cultured in vitro for the investigation of cellular iron metabolism.

Chang cells have been used as a stable model system for the study of cellular iron metabolism. Iron uptake and the stimulation of ferritin synthesis have been studied together with iron incorporation into the ferritin molecule. About 25-30% of the iron taken up by the cells is found in a soluble, non-haem, non-ferritin form which can be chelated by a number of compounds. Ferritin synthesis is inhibited by the presence of desferrioxamine but not by zinc ions.