Article
Hematology
Meriem Taleb, Isabelle Maillet, Marc Le Bert, Catherine Mura
Summary: This study uncovers the critical role of autophagy in macrophages in regulating iron metabolism and systemic iron homeostasis. Autophagy deficiency results in iron overload by increasing ferroportin expression, impacting hepcidin expression, and influencing factors in duodenal enterocytes.
Article
Biology
Patryk Slusarczyk, Pratik Kumar Mandal, Gabriela Zurawska, Marta Niklewicz, Komal Chouhan, Raghunandan Mahadeva, Aneta Jonczy, Matylda Macias, Aleksandra Szybinska, Magdalena Cybulska-Lubak, Olga Krawczyk, Sylwia Herman, Michal Mikula, Remigiusz Serwa, Malgorzata Lenartowicz, Wojciech Pokrzywa, Katarzyna Mleczko-Sanecka, Yelena Ginzburg
Summary: The aging process leads to iron accumulation and anemia in the elderly due to decreased iron recycling and impaired function of spleen macrophages. The decline in erythrophagocytosis capacity and lysosomal activity of red pulp macrophages is attributed to a drop in iron exporter ferroportin. The retention of senescent hemolytic red blood cells in the spleen and the formation of undegradable iron- and heme-rich protein aggregates contribute to the aging phenotype.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marc Liesa
Summary: The study demonstrates that iron chelation triggers a primary change in lipid metabolism, resulting in fat accumulation before mitophagy.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Sohji Nishina, Yasuyuki Tomiyama, Katsuya Ikuta, Yasuaki Tatsumi, Yasumichi Toki, Ayako Kato, Koichi Kato, Naoko Yoshioka, Kyo Sasaki, Yuichi Hara, Keisuke Hino
Summary: This is a case of nonclassical ferroportin disease, in which a correlation was demonstrated between hepatic iron levels as measured by MRI and serum hepcidin levels through long-term phlebotomy in a patient with the p.H507R mutation of in SLC40A1.
BMC GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Filomena Longo, Antonio Piga
Summary: Treatment options for thalassemia, including gene therapy and erythropoiesis modulation, are rapidly advancing. Hepcidin tuning, which has a positive effect on iron metabolism and erythropoiesis, is a potential therapeutic approach. However, directly using hepcidin as a drug has limitations and alternative methods are being explored. Targeting erythroferrone, the main inhibitor of hepcidin expression, is considered an ideal approach. Future treatment of thalassemia may involve a combination of approaches and extensive monitoring of functions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mazen M. Ghaith, Mohamed El-Boshy, Hussain Almasmoum, Abdelghany H. Abdelghany, Firas S. Azzeh, Riyad A. Almaimani, Shakir Idris, Jawwad Ahmad, Amani A. Mahbub, Mohammad A. BaSalamah, Mohamed E. Elzubeir, Bassem Refaat
Summary: Chronic iron overload-induced nephrotoxicity is associated with dysregulations in the renal vitamin D (VD) system, as well as renal oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. While deferasirox (DFX) reduces systemic iron levels, VD monotherapy is more effective in attenuating renal iron concentrations and tissue damage. However, the combination therapy approach exhibits the maximal remedial effects, possibly by enhanced modulation of renal iron-homeostatic molecules alongside reducing systemic iron levels.
JOURNAL OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Poonam Sagar, Stanzin Angmo, Rajat Sandhir, Vikas Rishi, Hariom Yadav, Nitin Kumar Singhal
Summary: Iron is essential for mammals but its homeostasis must be accurately regulated for proper physiological functioning. Hepcidin plays a crucial role in maintaining iron balance in the body, while inflammatory disorders can disrupt this balance. Therapeutic approaches targeting the hepcidin-FPN axis have been developed to address iron-related disorders.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Staffan K. Berglund, Anna M. Chmielewska, Magnus Domellof, Ola Andersson
Summary: This study demonstrates that serum hepcidin is a relevant indicator of iron status in early infancy and can be used to detect iron deficiency.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Betty Berezovsky, Jana Frydlova, Iuliia Gurieva, Daniel W. Rogalsky, Martin Vokurka, Jan Krijt
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the expression of ferroportin protein under various treatments affecting systemic hepcidin. The results showed that the expression of heart ferroportin protein is regulated by both systemic hepcidin and heart non-heme iron content.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James H. Cross, Ousman Jarjou, Nuredin Ibrahim Mohammed, Santiago Rayment Gomez, Bubacarr J. B. Touray, Noah J. Kessler, Andrew M. Prentice, Carla Cerami
Summary: Newborns experience temporary hypoferremia on the first day of life, but the iron levels gradually increase during the first week. Inflammatory markers also increase during this time. Despite high levels of hepcidin, indicating partial hepcidin resistance, serum iron levels still rise.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuko Izumi, Hisashi Kataoka, Akemi Koshiba, Fumitake Ito, Yukiko Tanaka, Osamu Takaoka, Eiko Maeda, Hiroyuki Okimura, Takuya Sugahara, Yosuke Tarumi, Koki Shimura, Khaleque N. Khan, Izumi Kusuki, Taisuke Mori
Summary: The study examined the hepcidin levels in patients with endometriosis and the effects of iron accumulation and hepcidin on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation in normal endometrial cells. The results showed that women with endometriosis had higher hepcidin levels in menstrual blood, leading to increased iron production, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Giulia Ravasi, Sara Pelucchi, Francesca Bertola, Martina Maria Capelletti, Raffaella Mariani, Alberto Piperno
Summary: This study utilized NGS technology to conduct genetic testing in patients with non-HFE-related hyperferritinemia, identifying several novel mutations. The results support the use of NGS panels in tertiary centers for iron metabolism disorders, but a portion of patients did not have identifiable genetic variants, suggesting the need for further research on other genetic defects or gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andzelika Borkowska, Maja Tomczyk, Malgorzata Zychowska, Wieslaw Pilis, Michal Zych, Jedrzej Antosiewicz
Summary: The study found that fasting affects the body's iron metabolism by reducing the expression of genes related to iron storage and export, and increasing the expression of genes involved in iron acquisition. Additionally, fasting alters body composition and decreases exercise capacity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Artur Slomka, Monika Lecka, Jan Styczynski
Summary: This systematic review provides an overview of observational studies on the association between hepcidin and acute leukemia (AL) or hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The review highlights the need for more extensive research as iron metabolism disturbances are common in AL and HCT, and hepcidin seems to play a significant role in their modulation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suman Chaudhary, Ajay Ashok, Aaron S. Wise, Neil A. Rana, Dallas McDonald, Alexander E. Kritikos, Qingzhong Kong, Neena Singh
Summary: This study found that upregulation of hepcidin in the brains of scrapie-infected mice and sCJD patients leads to downregulation of the iron export protein Fpn, upregulation of ferritin, and increased intracellular iron. These observations suggest that brain hepcidin plays a significant role in iron accumulation and associated neurotoxicity in human and animal prion disorders.
Article
Biology
Zhong-Da Li, Meng-Yu Geng, Song-Rui Dou, Xuan Wang, Zi-Han Zhang, Yan-Zhong Chang
Summary: Caffeine can decrease hepcidin expression by inhibiting inflammation and the activation of the IL-6/STAT3 pathway, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic for anemia of inflammation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hengrui Chang, Dong Zhang, Zhen Xin, Pengfei Zhang, Wenyuan Ding, Yan-Zhong Chang
Summary: The relationship between cardiovascular diseases and iron disorders has gained attention. This study found that treatment with the hypotensive drug prazosin can affect iron metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats, leading to changes in iron levels in the serum, liver, and bone tissue. These findings indicate that hypertension and anti-hypertensive drugs can impact iron homeostasis, and there may be different iron regulatory mechanisms between hypertensive and normal animals.
PHARMACOLOGY RESEARCH & PERSPECTIVES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peina Wang, Yanmei Cui, Yuanyuan Liu, Zhongda Li, Huiyuan Bai, Yashuo Zhao, Yan-Zhong Chang
Summary: Oxidative stress and deficient bioenergetics play important roles in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury. Mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) protects neuronal cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis under stress conditions. The present study demonstrates that FtMt deficiency exacerbates neuronal apoptosis while FtMt overexpression inhibits apoptosis and ER stress response. FtMt also improves mitochondrial function and regulates glucose metabolism via the pentose-phosphate pathway, thus preventing ROS overproduction and preserving energy metabolism. These findings highlight the significance of FtMt in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunkai Qie, Zhaoxia Cheng, Zhouliang Wu, Feilong Qi, Bozhao Li, Suying Wu, Tianjiao Chu, Zefang Lu, Suping Li, Guangjun Nie
Summary: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive subtype of prostate cancer without effective treatment options. This study revealed that protein kinase C beta (PKC beta) is highly expressed in NEPC and can be activated by c-Myc. The activation of PKC beta further enhances c-Myc function and promotes the progression of NEPC. To address the limitations of current drugs, a tailored nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy delivering enzastaurin was developed, which efficiently retards tumor growth and coagulation abnormalities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingying Han, Yong He, Xiaofang Jin, Jiayi Xie, Peng Yu, Guofen Gao, Shiyang Chang, Jianhua Zhang, Yan-Zhong Chang
Summary: CHIR99021 is a compound that inhibits the activity of GSK-3 alpha and GSK-3 beta. It is important in maintaining stem cell stemness, but its mechanism is not fully understood. This study found that removal of CHIR99021 from the culture medium reduced iron storage in embryonic stem cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fenfen Li, Zhaoxia Cheng, Jingyi Sun, Xiaoyu Cheng, Chen Li, Zhouliang Wu, Feilong Qi, Ying Zhao, Guangjun Nie
Summary: This study demonstrates a combination strategy of sinusoidal perfusion enhancement and apoptosis inhibition for liver fibrosis treatment. By using riociguat and a tailor-designed galactose-PEGylated bilirubin nanomedicine, the researchers were able to enhance sinusoidal perfusion, decrease ROS accumulation and inflammation, scavenge excessive ROS, and inhibit apoptosis in hepatocytes. These effects attenuated the activation of hepatic stellate cells and extracellular matrix deposition in a mouse model of liver fibrosis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Qin, Hejia Li, Jin Zhu, Yuting Qin, Nan Li, Jian Shi, Guangjun Nie, Ruifang Zhao
Summary: Cancer vaccines need to effectively deliver antigens and trigger immune reactions. This study presents a strategy to assemble tumor antigens into bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) via electrostatic interaction. The OMV-delivered vaccine (OMVax) stimulates immune responses and inhibits metastasis, but immune response activation decreases with increased positive surface charge. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing vaccine formulations.
Article
Cell Biology
Huiwen Zheng, Xin Guo, Shaomeng Kang, Zhongda Li, Tian Tian, Jianhua Li, Fudi Wang, Peng Yu, Shiyang Chang, Yan-zhong Chang
Summary: Ischemic stroke is a common and severe disease that leads to high mortality and morbidity rates worldwide. The molecular mechanisms underlying the neuronal damage in stroke victims are not well understood. This study found that the iron export protein FPN1 in brain microvascular endothelial cells plays a role in brain iron homeostasis and neuronal damage in ischemic stroke.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yutong Liu, Yuxuan Li, Liu Yang, Jiaqi Shen, Hongting Zhao, Weichen Dong, Yanzhong Chang, Tong Qiao, Kuanyu Li
Summary: This study found that inhibiting Hif2 can improve anemia caused by Irp2 deficiency. The improvement is mainly achieved by releasing iron ions from the liver and enhancing intestinal absorption. The upregulation of nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (Ncoa4) facilitates iron release through ferritinophagy. The released iron is used for intracellular Fe-S biogenesis and erythropoiesis after being exported from the liver to circulation. Hepatic iron export reduces hepcidin expression and alleviates intestinal iron overload through the hepcidin-ferroportin axis.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guofen Gao, Linhao You, Jianhua Zhang, Yan-Zhong Chang, Peng Yu
Summary: The incidence of neurological diseases is increasing due to brain iron overload and resulting oxidative damage. Brain iron deficiency is closely linked to neurodevelopment. These disorders have a significant impact on patients' physical and mental health, as well as on the economy. Maintaining brain iron homeostasis and understanding the mechanism of brain iron disorders affecting ROS balance are crucial in preventing and treating these diseases. Therapies targeting brain iron and ROS imbalances have shown promising results in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. This review highlights the molecular mechanisms, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of brain iron metabolism disorders in neurological diseases.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tianjiao Chu, Bowei Cao, Peina Wang, Bozhao Li, Jinna Ren, Guangjun Nie, Jingyan Wei, Suping Li
Summary: A novel tumor target agent, pHLIP-IL2 fusion protein, has been developed to selectively deliver to acidic tumor microenvironments and promote immune cell proliferation for tumor regression.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Jie Li, Yiqian Ding, Jianhua Zhang, Yating Zhang, Yiduo Cui, Yi Zhang, Shiyang Chang, Yan-Zhong Chang, Guofen Gao
Summary: This study found that brain iron overload has detrimental effects on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, leading to memory decline and anxiety-like behavior. The damage is possibly caused by iron-mediated downregulation of proprotein convertase furin, resulting in decreased maturation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which affects neural stem cell differentiation. Thus, modulating iron homeostasis and furin expression could be potential therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuan Liang, Yunkai Qie, Jing Yang, Ranfeng Wu, Shuang Cui, Yuliang Zhao, Greg J. Anderson, Guangjun Nie, Suping Li, Cheng Zhang
Summary: This study presents a programmable conformational cooperativity strategy to construct an oligo-protein signal transduction platform for logic operations and gene regulations, which can be cooperatively regulated by conformational signals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lei Liu, Yange Cui, Yan-Zhong Chang, Peng Yu
Summary: Ferroptosis, a process involving iron-dependent cell death, shows similarities with the pathophysiological features of Parkinson's disease (PD), which involves iron deposition and lipid peroxidation. This study explored the role of ferroptosis-related proteins in dopaminergic neurons and glial cells in the substantia nigra (SN) in PD. Using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in different SN cell types, and enrichment analysis revealed changes in synaptic transmission and ATP metabolism in dopaminergic neurons in PD. The study also identified ferroptosis-related DEGs encoding secreted proteins such as ceruloplasmin, high mobility group box 1, and transferrin. The findings suggest ceruloplasmin as a potential therapeutic target to protect dopaminergic neurons by reducing their sensitivity to ferroptosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuhang Dong, Yunhua Guo, Wenzhe Song, Guangjun Nie, Feng Li
Summary: Supramolecular assembly is a process that constructs highly organized multimolecular assembly systems, and DNA and peptides have been widely explored as controllable building blocks for the construction of supramolecular nanoassemblies. DNA and peptide-based nanoassemblies possess protective and cellular uptake facilitation capabilities, and their programmable supramolecular assembly superiority enables spatiotemporally controllable assembly and release of drugs.
ACCOUNTS OF MATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)