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Hepcidin and iron regulation in health and disease

Robert T Means1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY, USA. robert.means@uky.edu

The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|May 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Hepcidin, a peptide regulating iron, is central to iron balance and transport. Understanding hepcidin

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Hepcidin, an antimicrobial peptide, was discovered a decade ago.
  • It was initially proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of anemia of chronic disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the role of hepcidin in iron balance and transport.
  • To understand the regulation of hepcidin in health and disease.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of iron homeostasis disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of subsequent studies on hepcidin's function and regulation.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying iron homeostasis disorders.

Main Results:

  • Hepcidin is the keystone of iron balance and transport systems.
  • Its regulation is crucial for maintaining iron homeostasis.
  • Understanding hepcidin has clarified molecular mechanisms of iron disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Hepcidin is a central regulator of systemic iron metabolism.
  • Further research may reveal diagnostic and therapeutic applications for hepcidin and related molecules.

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