Antihepcidin Antibody Treatment Modulates Iron Metabolism and Is Effective in a Mouse Model of Inflammation-Induced Anemia

The study investigated the role of hepcidin in inflammation-induced anemia (AI) using a mouse model. Hepcidin, a peptide that regulates iron metabolism, was found to contribute to AI by causing iron sequestration. Overexpression of human hepcidin in mice led to an iron-deficient phenotype, including hair loss and stunted growth. The study developed high-affinity antibodies against human hepcidin, which successfully neutralized hepcidin in vitro and in vivo, improving anemia in hepcidin knock-in mice. These findings suggested that antihepcidin antibodies could be a potential treatment for patients with inflammatory anemia and might help explore iron's role in other diseases.