Serum Transferrin Receptor

Abstract

The transferrin receptor plays a critical role in iron metabolism by precisely controlling the flow of transferrin iron into body cells. A soluble truncated form of the receptor can be detected in human serum using sensitive immunoassays, and the initial clinical experience with this new measurement indicates that it reflects the total body mass of tissue receptor. Serum receptor levels rise significantly with tissue iron deficiency and the heightened demand for iron associated with expansion of the erythroid marrow. The serum receptor provides a quantitative measure of functional iron deficiency and distinguishes the associated anemia from that of chronic disease. If iron deficiency is excluded, the serum receptor provides a quantitative measure of total erythropoiesis that is more sensitive and less invasive than bone marrow examination currently used to assess red cell precursor mass. Performed in conjunction with serum ferritin measurements, the serum receptor will be useful in establishing the true prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in population studies.

Improved differential diagnosis of anemia of chronic disease and iron deficiency anemia: A prospective multicenter evaluation of soluble transferrin receptor and the sTfR/log ferritin index

“…In contrast, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) has been shown to be an indicator of iron deficiency and is unaffected by concomitant chronic disease and inflammation [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. The transferrin receptor is a transmembrane cellular protein primarily expressed in cells that require iron, and the soluble form is elevated in serum and plasma in cases of iron deficiency [12,14].…”

Correlation between serum transferrin receptor and percentage of parasitemia in malaria. A preliminary report

“…T ransferrin receptor (TfR) is a glycoprotein found in animals that mediates the entry of ferric transferrin from the extracellular compartment into cells (Cook et al, 1993). Up-regulation of the expression of cellular TfR occurs as a result of an inadequate tissue supply of iron, or an increased cellular demand for iron.…”

“…sTfR measurements have been widely used as an indice of iron status. The sTfR concentration has also been shown to be a more sensitive and less variable index of iron status than the more conventional serum iron, transferrin, and total iron-binding capacity (Ahluwalia et al, 1993;Cook et al, 1993). Changes in sTfR levels have studied in only a few diseases, mostly in iron deficiency anemia (Cook et al, 1993;Ferguson et al, 1992;Punnonen et al, 1997) and thalassemia .…”

Biological variation of plasma ferritin in healthy adult males in south Indian population—A sample study

“…However, there are many problems associated with the interpretation of plasma ferritin levels since apoferritin which is a precursor is an acute-phase reactant protein and is therefore elevated in inflammatory processes (4). Consequently plasma ferritin concentration in the normal range reflects adequate iron stores only in the absence of inflammation.…”