RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOLUBLE TRANSFERRIN RECEPTORS IN SERUM AND MEMBRANE-BOUND TRANSFERRIN RECEPTORS

The expression of transferrin receptors on the cell membrane of erythr oblasts was analysed with flow cytometry in patients with different fo rms of anaemia, At the same time the concentration of soluble transfer rin receptors (sTfRs) was analysed in serum. It was shown that only in iron deficiency a high concentration of sTfRs in serum could be expla ined with an increased expression of transferrin receptors on the eryt hroblastic membrane. In anaemia of chronic disease and myelodysplasia a discrepancy between a low expression on the cell membrane and normal or elevated serum values was seen. From this study we conclude that t he concentration of sTfRs in serum does not only depend on the express ion of transferrin receptors on the erythroblasts but also, on the ery throid activity.