Iron Homeostasis in Mice: Does Liver Lobe Matter?

In this study, we compared iron-related parameters in distinct liver lobes of C57BL/6 wild-type mice across different ages. We found that the non-heme iron levels, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of iron storage protein Ferritin and the iron importer Transferrin Receptor 1, were similar between liver lobes. Additionally, the mRNA expression of Hepcidin, as well as its regulators, Bmp2 and Bmp6, and iron importers Zip8 and Zip14 were comparable. Minor differences were observed in Ferroportin mRNA levels of 24-weeks old mice; however, this did not correlate with altered iron content. The findings in wild-type mice were reproduced in Hfe knock-out mice - a well-established genetic model of the most prevalent form of hemochromatosis. Overall, our results indicate that C57BL/6 mouse liver lobes can be used interchangeably for assessing iron content and expression of iron-related genes. Understanding if these findings are applicable to other mouse developmental stages, strains or models of (iron-related) disorders will be key to promote reduction of experimental animal numbers and facilitate resource sharing among research groups studying liver iron homeostasis.PMID:37667844 | DOI:10.1152/ajpgi.00085.2023
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research