Molecular Modeling of the Human Hemoglobin-Haptoglobin Complex Sheds Light on the Protective Mechanisms of Haptoglobin
Hemoglobin (Hb) plays a critical role in human physiological function by transporting O-2. Hb is safe and inert within the confinement of the red blood cell but becomes reactive and toxic upon hemolysis. Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute-phase serum protein that scavenges Hb and the resulting Hb-Hp complex is subjected to CD163-mediated endocytosis by macrophages. The interaction between Hb and Hp is e
