Down-regulation of hemojuvelin prevents inhibitory effects of bone morphogenetic proteins on iron metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma

Recently, we revealed that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4 is increased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and latest reports describe BMPs, in particular BMP6, as important regulators of hepcidin expression in iron homeostasis. The aim of this study was to unravel why enhanced BMP expression in HCC does not lead to severe changes in iron metabolism. Methods and Results: Initial analysis confirmed and newly revealed, respectively, enhanced mRNA and protein expression of both BMP4 and BMP6 in human HCC cell lines and tissues compared to primary human hepatocytes (PHH) and normal liver tissues. However and surp…