TABLE 1. Concentrations and ligand affinities of serum proteins that play a role in scavenging haem and Hb. A small amount of extraerythrocytic Hb is present in healthy individuals, but this is rapidly bound by haptoglobin. Any haem that is released from Hb will be bound with very high affinity by haemopexin, or by the abundant albumin. Together, these proteins protect from haem-mediated oxidative damage and restrict pathogens access to haem as an iron source.

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