Differential expression of genes related to HFE and iron status in mouse duodenal epithelium.
Iron absorption, distribution, use, and storage are thought to be tightly regulated since altered iron stores may lead to cellular damage and disease. HFE, the hereditary hemochromatosis gene product, is expressed in the crypts of the duodenum, but the molecular mechanism by which it contributes to the inhibition of iron absorption is still unknown. In this study we aimed to identify transcriptional profiles in the duodenal epithelium of Hfe(-/-) mice. We used dedicated microarrays to compare gene expression among the duodenum of Hfe(-/-) mice, induced iron overload mice, and control mice. We found 151 differentially expressed genes and unknown sequences between Hfe(-/-) mice and normal littermates. Gene profiling revealed a gene subset more specific for Hfe inactivation. The functional annotation of upregulated genes highlighted that mucus production and cell maintenance may account for the influence of Hfe on epithelium integrity and luminal iron uptake.
Abgueguen
Emmanuelle
E
CNRS UMR 6061, Université de Rennes1, IFR 140, Faculté de Médecine, CS 34317, 35043 Rennes, France.
Toutain
Bertrand
B
Bédrine
Hélène
H
Chicault
Céline
C
Orhant
Magali
M
Aubry
Marc
M
Monnier
Annabelle
A
Mottier
Stéphanie
S
Jouan
Hélène
H
Bahram
Seiamak
S
Mosser
Jean
J
Fergelot
Patricia
P