The systemic iron hormone hepcidin is induced in macrophages by reactive oxygen species and during phagocytosis of oxidized erythrocytes

Background: The peptide and liver-secreted hormone hepcidin is the master regulator of the body iron metabolism. It is secreted in response to elevated body iron stores or inflammatory conditions (IL-6). By blocking the iron exporter ferroportin, hepcidin not only prevents intestinal iron uptake but also iron release from macrophages that efficiently recycle iron by phagocytosing and degrading aged red blood cells (RBCs). Thus far, however, it is poorly understood why macrophages, besides hepatocytes, actively secrete hepcidin. Material and methods: THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into macrophages by PMA 5ng…