['Iron can cause oxidative stress, and elevated iron levels have been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Transferrin, an iron transport protein, is expressed at high levels in the retina. The purpose of this study was to assess transferrin involvement in AMD by determining the expression profile of transferrin in retinas with AMD compared with retinas without evidence of disease.', 'Postmortem retinas were obtained from AMD and non-AMD eyes. Expression of transferrin was assessed in a microarray dataset from 33 retinas of unaffected donors and 12 retinas of patients with AMD (six with neovascular AMD and six with non-neovascular AMD). Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (QPCR) was used to confirm the microarray results. Transferrin protein expression was assessed by semiquantitative Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry.', 'In comparison to unaffected retinas, mean transferrin mRNA levels, as measured by microarray analysis were elevated 3.5- and 2.1-fold in non-neovascular and neovascular AMD retinas, respectively. Semiquantitative Western blot analysis demonstrated a 2.1-fold increase in transferrin protein in AMD eyes. Immunohistochemistry showed more intense and widespread transferrin label in AMD maculas, particularly in large drusen, Müller cells, and photoreceptors.'] Is the iron carrier transferrin upregulated in retinas from patients with age-related macular degeneration?