Hepcidin1 knockout mice display defects in bone microarchitecture and changes of bone formation markers

Iron accumulation is a risk factor of osteoporosis; mechanisms leading to iron-related bone loss are not fully determined. We sought to better understand the effect of chronic iron accumulation on bone over the life span in a mouse model. Hepcidin1 knockout (Hepc1(-/-)) male mice and their littermate control wild type (WT) mice at 7 months old were used in this study. Serum iron and ferritin as well as iron contents in liver and femur were significantly increased in Hepc1(-/-) mice compared to WT mice. We found that Hepc1(-/-) mice had a phenotype of low bone mass and alteration of the bone microarchitecture, most likely caused by a decreased osteoblastic activity. Cell culture studies indicated that chronic iron accumulation decreased bone formation, probably by affecting bone morphogenetic protein signaling.