the role of serum transferrin receptors measurement

Background. The transferrin receptors are transmembrane proteins. They have a critical role in iron metabolism by controlling the flow of transferrin iron into body cells. The density of a surface transferrin receptor on a given cell is proportional to the iron requirements of that cell. A soluble form of the receptor can be detected in human serum by sensitive immunoassays.

Conclusions. Concentration of serum transferrin receptor reflects total erythropoietic activity of human body. It provides a quantitative measure of functional iron deficiency and distinguishes the associated anemia from that of chronic disease. Elevated serum receptor levels provide a valuable measure of enhanced erythropoiesis. It might be useful for measuring of the therapeutic effect of recombinant human erythropoetin. It is more sensitive and less invasive than bone marrow examination currently used to assess a red cell precursor mass.