What are target cells?
The term "target cell" is used in several different ways in the fields of hematology, immunology and endocrinology. Specific meaning is usually clear from context, because cells treated as target cells in these fields are very different. Understanding how different types of target cells work and what they mean can be useful for patients who want to learn more about their health. In the blood sample, cells look literally like small targets hovering around, which explains the name. The target cells should not be present in healthy individuals. These cells show that someone suffers from anemia or condition such as liver failure or thalassemia. These target cells are also known as codocytes, and can be identified during a routine blood in which a blood sample is taken from various tests from the patient.
Immunologists use the term "target cell" to talk about a cell in the body that has been infected with or a virusHow damaged, which triggered the production of abnormal proteins that do not belong to the body. The cell represents antigens that act as red flags for auxiliary T-cells, which in turn can alert the immune system to the problem and destroy the target cells. The body destroys the target cells to prevent the spread of virus or abnormality.
For endocrinologists, this term concerns cells that have receptors for specific hormones. Many cells in the body act as target cells for specific hormones and some are receptors for multiple hormones. The body uses hormones to start a wide range of events, from the launch of milk to delivery to the sending of signals between the cells. Some cancers may be carried out to determine which type of tarry can be involved, as in breast cancer, where surgeons are looking for cells with estrogen receptors to determine which type of treatment would be best for the patient's condition.
If the doctor suspects that the patient has a condition related to the target cellsSpecial concerns, tests can be ordered to see if they are present or not. Blood and tissue samples can be analyzed on the presence of target cells to collect information that could be used in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient.