Anti-TFR2 (aa 504-553) polyclonal antibody

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is one of the most common genetic disorders in Caucasian populations, with no viable therapeutic options except phlebotomy. We describe a zebrafish model of human HH (HH) created by targeted mutagenesis of the gene encoding transferrin receptor 2 (tfr2). TFR2 mutations in humans lead to HH Type 3, a rare but severe form of the disease. The tfr2 mutant model in zebrafish recapitulates the defining features of HH3: iron overload and suppression of hepcidin, the iron regulatory hormone. Using in vivo chemical screens in zebrafish embryos, we identify a new small molecule inducer of hepcidin: SC-514, a specific chemical inhibitor of NFkB signaling. Using independent small molecule inhibitors of the NFkB pathway, we demonstrate that inhibition of NFk3 signaling causes induction of hepcidin transcription and reduction of iron overload in the HH3 model. This first successful chemical intervention for hereditary hemochromatosis may also have relevance in treatment of other very prevalent iron regulatory iron overload disorders such as thalassemia.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder of iron overload. Over the past 15 years, significant advances have been made in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of this disorder. First, genetic studies linked this disorder to mutations in several genes, including HFE, transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2), hepcidin (HAMP), ferroportin (SLC40A1), and hemojuvelin (HFE2). Recent progress has generated significant insight into the function of these molecules in systemic iron homeostasis, and has revealed that despite the genetic and phenotypic diversity of hereditary hemochromatosis, there are common pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disease. The common downstream mechanism of iron overload in hereditary hemochromatosis is abnormal regulation of the hepcidin-ferroportin axis, leading to a failure to prevent excess iron from entering the circulation. Recent data are starting to unravel the molecular mechanisms by which iron regulates hepcidin production, and has demonstrated a key role for the bone morphogenetic protein-hemojuvelin-SMAD signaling pathway in this process. Future studies will be needed to more fully understand the molecular mechanisms of iron sensing and the roles of HFE and TFR2 in this process. Here, the authors review the current state of knowledge on the molecular pathogenesis of hereditary hemochromatosis.