Related Experiment Videos
Serum transferrin receptor assays and their application
1Department of Haematology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK. worwood@cardiff.ac.uk
Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|June 1, 2002
Summary
This review covers transferrin receptor (TfR) physiology and its clinical applications. TfR assays can monitor erythropoiesis and identify iron deficiency, especially in anemia of chronic disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Cells obtain iron via plasma transferrin, internalized by the transferrin receptor (TfR).
- Plasma TfR levels correlate with cellular TfR numbers.
- TfR can be measured using enzyme immunoassays on automated analyzers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review TfR physiology, biochemistry, and assay limitations.
- To explore clinical applications of TfR assays.
- To assess TfR's role in monitoring erythropoiesis and iron deficiency.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of TfR physiology and biochemistry.
- Analysis of current methodologies for TfR determination.
- Evaluation of clinical studies utilizing TfR assays.
Main Results:
- TfR assays offer insights into erythropoiesis.
- TfR can indicate developing iron deficiency.
- TfR assays aid in diagnosing iron deficiency in anemia of chronic disease.
Conclusions:
- While not always adding to existing iron status measures, TfR assays have specific clinical utility.
- TfR monitoring is valuable in particular circumstances, including anemia of chronic disease.
- Understanding TfR function and assay limitations is crucial for accurate interpretation.