The term “target cells” has different meanings in hematology, immunology, and endocrinology. In hematology, target cells are red blood cells with a bull’s-eye appearance, indicating anemia or other conditions. In immunology, target cells are infected or damaged cells that trigger the immune system. In endocrinology, target cells have receptors for specific hormones. Tests may be ordered to determine the presence of target cells for diagnosis and treatment.
The term “target cells” is used in different ways in the fields of hematology, immunology and endocrinology. Usually, the specific meaning is clear from the context, as the cells treated as targets in these fields are very different. Understanding how the various types of these cells work and what they mean can be helpful for patients who want to learn more about their medical conditions.
In the case of hematology, a target cell is a type of red blood cell that has developed a bull’s-eye appearance, due to thickening of the sides and central narrowing. In a blood sample, cells literally look like little targets floating around, which explains the name. In healthy individuals, target cells should not be present. These cells indicate that someone is suffering from anemia or a condition such as liver failure or thalassemia. Also known as codocytes, these cells can be identified during routine blood tests, where a sample of blood is taken from a patient and subjected to a series of tests.
Immunologists use the term “target cell” to talk about a cell in the body that has been infected by a virus or damaged in some way, triggering the production of abnormal proteins that don’t belong in the body. The cell carries antigens that act as red flags for helper T cells, which can in turn alert the immune system to a problem and destroy target cells. The body destroys cells to prevent the spread of a virus or abnormality.
For endocrinologists, the term refers to 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 trigger a wide variety of events, from delivering milk after delivery to sending signals between cells. In some types of cancer, tests may be done to see what type of cell may be involved, such as in breast cancer, where surgeons look for cells with estrogen receptors to determine what type of treatment would be most appropriate for the patient’s condition .
If a doctor suspects a patient has a condition related to target cells of particular interest, tests may be ordered to determine whether or not they are present. Blood and tissue samples can both be analyzed for the presence of target cells to gather information that could be used in diagnosing and treating a patient.
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