Human transferrin is a major constituent of blood plasma. It is an iron binding glycoprotein that serves as the transport protein for iron delivery in the body. Each molecule of transferrin specifically binds two Fe3+ molecules through a bicarbonate mediated site-specific binding. Transferrin is required by many mammalian cells during growth to regulate iron uptake and it has been shown that when added to cell culture media it promotes cell proliferation. In culture media, transferrin has a secondary role to bind endogenous metal ions which may cause cell toxicity.

BBI derives it’s purified Transferrin products from pooled normal human plasma from predominantly US based paid blood donations.

The standard Transferrin products supplied by BBI are lyophilised products, material is available with different levels of iron saturation. Circulating Transferrin is partially Iron saturated however for cell culture use BBI adjusts the iron content to provide the following options:

Holo-transferrin (product code T101-5) is adjusted to give near 100% saturation (1200-1700 µg/gm). Apo-transferrin (product code T100-5) is depleted to give near zero iron bound (<50µg/gm). Customised Transferrin formulations are available on request.

Human plasma used for the manufacture of the BBI product human transferrin is collected at blood centers in the United States of America which are licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The material is manufactured from a large pool of plasma donated by multiple donors, although the donor’s information is not made available, all donations are traceable back to the donor. All plasma donations are screened for infectious diseases by FDA approved methods at the donor level. Donations are ethically sourced and informed consent forms are signed by each donor prior to donation, the forms are kept on file by the approved collection facility. Further details on the collection process are available on specific information sheets or can be requested from technicalsupport@bbisolutions.com.

BBI prepares Transferrin under our ISO13485 quality system however the transferrin products are prepared in open laboratories and the material is not GMP/clinical grade. Transferrin is intended for research and cell culture use only and is not suitable for use in pharmaceuticals.

Transferrin products should be stored at 2-8°C. After the Transferrin has been removed from the sealed packaging the material should be used immediately, it should not be stored for re-use.

A shelf-life of a minimum of 5 years from manufacture date is applied. The shelf life is based on immunological potency.

These requests can be sent directly to your designated account manager who will be happy to advise of current stock availability and advise on appropriate samples. If you do not have an account manager, contact customer services.

If any further technical information is required, this can be requested by emailing technicalsupport@bbisolutions.com or contacting customer services.

The specific methodologies are proprietary to BBI however a general purification methodology can be provided after execution of a Non-disclosure agreement.