Transferrin and transferrin receptor expression in intraocular proliferative disease. APAAP-immunolabeling of retinal membranes and ELISA for vitreal transferrin.
Transferrin (TF) is the major transport protein involved in human iron metabolism. The expression of the cell-surface TF receptor is associated with cellular proliferation, the dominant feature of proliferative vitreoretinal disorders with traction retinal detachment. A total of 14 retinal membranes from patients with different clinical diagnoses contained immunoreactive TF. Expression of the cell-surface TF receptor was confirmed by a monoclonal anti-human TF-receptor antibody label in 11 of the 14 specimens. We developed a noncompetitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for TF and found it to be a significant component of vitreal protein, with a level of 65.7 +/- 33.9 mg/l. Vitreal TF as a major iron acceptor probably has a protective function, but its interaction with macrophages and its growth-promoting activity may subsequently stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and retinal pigment epithelial cells.
Weller
M
M
Abteilung für Netzhaut- und Glaskörperchirurgie, Augenklinik der Universität, Köln, Federal Republic of Germany.
Wiedemann
P
P
Moter
H
H
Heimann
K
K
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000032:analysis*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000032:analysis*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D014168:Transferrin