Methods and compositions to regulate hepcidin expression

摘要

The present invention provides new systems and strategies for the regulation of iron metabolism in mammals. In particular, methods of using agonists and antagonists of TGF-β superfamily members to modulate the expression or activity of hepcidin, a key regulator of iron metabolism, are described. The inventive methods find applications in the treatment of diseases associated with iron overload, such as juvenile hemochromatosis and adult hemochromatosis, and in the treatment of diseases associated with iron deficiency, such as anemia of chronic disease and EPO resistant anemia in end-stage of renal disease. The present invention also relates to screening tools and methods for the development of novel drugs and therapies for treating iron metabolism disorders.

主权项

1. A method for inhibiting hepcidin expression or activity in a biological system the method comprising contacting the biological system with a fusion protein comprising a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 94% identical to SEQ ID NO:24 fused to Fc, thereby inhibiting hepcidin expression or activity in the biological system.