Variability in the cleavage of exosomal-associated transferrin receptor questions the utility of clinically useful soluble transferrin assays for dogs, cats and horses

Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions in the cellular procurement of iron through the endocytosis of the iron-transferrin-TfR complex.1 –4 TfR is found in high numbers on erythrocyte precursors due to their high demand for iron to support hemoglobin production.2–5 As erythrocyte precursors mature from reticulocytes to mature erythrocytes, their iron demand, and thus TfR requirement, ceases and TfR is sorted into exosomes and rel eased along with other obsolete membrane proteins.

Source: Experimental Hematology - May 13, 2020 Category: Hematology Authors: Caitlyn R. Martinez, Kelly S. Santangelo, Christine S. Olver Source Type: research