; As iron (Fe)-related disorders are prevalent world-wide, understanding Fe homeostasis is critical to understanding human health. Fe homeostasis is regulated by hepcidin, a largely liver-derived peptide that inhibits dietary Fe absorption and macrophage Fe recycling. Hepcidin expression Is inhibited and stimulated respectively by increased erythropoietic drive and Fe overload. The first objective of this K99/R00 application was to determine the effect of transferrin (TF) on hepcidin expression in vivo. This objective has been completed. Studies during the K99 phase demonstrated that TF, an abundant serum metal-binding protein essential for Fe delivery to bone marrow for erythropoiesis, regulates hepcidin expression dependently and Independently of TF's role In erythropoiesis. These studies also demonstrated that TF Is essential for the stimulation of hepcidin expression by Fe overload; this stimulation is a likely target ofthe unidentified factor that mediates suppression of hepcidin expression by increased erythropoietic drive. The second objective of this K99/R00 application, to be completed during the ROO phase, is to identify commonalities and divergences between cellular manganese (Mn) and Fe homeostasis as a means to further dissect Fe homeostasis. I will identify the means by which TF saturated with Fe, Mn and other metals similarly and differentially regulate hepatocyte gene expression and determine if TF plays a role In cellular Fe and Mn efflux. The third objective, also to be completed during the ROO phase, is to identify novel factors required for cellular metal homeostasis. As high Mn levels are toxic to many cell lines, I will alter cellular gene expression with shRNA and cDNA libraries, select for cells resistant to high Mn levels and Identify mutant lines of interest by 54Mn and 55Fe transport assays. From these two objectives, I will establish an Independent focus divergent from my mentor's, the role of Iron in hematologic disorders. This proposal reflects the overall trend in my research the study of mammalian metal homeostasis and its relation to human health and diseaseand will lead to a paradigm of metal homeostasis from which novel treatments for metal-related disorders can be designed.

Public Health Relevance

; The goal of this study is to determine how iron in the body stimulates the liver to produce a hormone that limits Iron absorption from the gut. The results of this research should offer novel treatment options for iron related disorders such as anemia.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Transition Award (R00)
Project #
5R00DK084122-05
Application #
8787730
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Roy, Cindy
Project Start
2012-09-01
Project End
2015-11-30
Budget Start
2014-12-01
Budget End
2015-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$209,033
Indirect Cost
$80,397
Name
Brown University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
Bartnikas, Thomas Benedict (2016) Matriptase-2 links erythropoietin to iron. Blood 127:2270-1
Gutschow, Patrick; Schmidt, Paul J; Han, Huiling et al. (2015) A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for murine hepcidin-1: correlation with hepatic mRNA expression in established and novel models of dysregulated iron homeostasis. Haematologica 100:167-77
Bu, Julia T; Bartnikas, Thomas B (2015) The use of hypotransferrinemic mice in studies of iron biology. Biometals 28:473-80
Bartnikas, Thomas Benedict (2014) Liver not making hepcidin? Hemochromatosis! Blood 123:3535-6
Herrera, Carolina; Pettiglio, Michael A; Bartnikas, Thomas B (2014) Investigating the role of transferrin in the distribution of iron, manganese, copper, and zinc. J Biol Inorg Chem 19:869-77
Zhang, Zhuzhen; Guo, Xin; Herrera, Carolina et al. (2014) Bmp6 expression can be regulated independently of liver iron in mice. PLoS One 9:e84906
Bartnikas, Thomas B; Wildt, Sheryl J; Wineinger, Amy E et al. (2013) A novel rat model of hereditary hemochromatosis due to a mutation in transferrin receptor 2. Comp Med 63:143-55
Bartnikas, Thomas B; Steinbicker, Andrea U; Campagna, Dean R et al. (2013) Identification and characterization of a novel murine allele of Tmprss6. Haematologica 98:854-61
Rooijakkers, Suzan H M; Rasmussen, Suzanne L; McGillivray, Shauna M et al. (2010) Human transferrin confers serum resistance against Bacillus anthracis. J Biol Chem 285:27609-13