STAT3 signaling within hepatocytes is required for anemia of inflammation in vivo

Anemia of inflammation, commonly observed in patients with chronic diseases, is associated with decreased serum iron. Hepcidin, mainly produced by hepatocytes in a STAT3- and/or SMAD-dependent manner, is involved in iron homeostasis. What remains to be established is whether or not the hepatic IL-6/STAT3 signal has a role in anemia of inflammation in vivo.

Turpentine oil was subcutaneously injected into wild-type mice or hepatocyte-specific STAT3-deficient mice (L-STAT3KO) to induce inflammation.

Turpentine injection increased serum IL-6 levels. It activated liver STAT3 in wild-type mice, but not in L-STAT3KO mice. In chronic inflammation, wild-type mice showed decreased serum iron levels and anemia with up-regulation of hepcidin levels in the liver. In contrast, L-STAT3KO mice showed no increase in hepatic hepcidin levels or anemia.

Liver STAT3 is critically involved in the development of anemia of inflammation via the expression of hepcidin. The liver regulates anemia of inflammation through STAT3 signaling.