title: Iron deficiency and raised hepcidin in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: clinical prevalence, outcomes, and mechanistic insights.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to understand the prevalence and clinical relevance of iron deficiency in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Iron availability influences the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia in humans and may be significant in the pathogenesis of IPAH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Iron deficiency, defined by raised levels of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), was investigated in 98 patients with IPAH. Hepcidin and erythropoietin (EPO) levels were also measured. The effect of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor knockdown on BMP-6-stimulated hepcidin production was assessed in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Relationships between sTfR and exercise capacity, functional class, and all-cause mortality were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circulating sTfR levels were raised in 63% of IPAH patients, indicating significant iron deficiency. Consistent with this, iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels were reduced and red cell distribution width increased, without overt anemia. Hepcidin correlated inversely with sTfR and positively with increasing ferritin. Hepcidin was inappropriately raised in IPAH independent of the inflammatory marker interleukin-6. EPO levels were also raised and correlated inversely with hepcidin. BMP receptor-type 2 (BMPR2) knockdown in HepG2 cells increased BMP-6-stimulated hepcidin expression. sTfR increased with World Health Organization functional class (p < 0.05), correlated negatively with exercise capacity (p = 0.027), and values >28.1 nmol/l independently predicted survival (p = 0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iron deficiency is common in IPAH patients and associated with disease severity and poor clinical outcome. Inappropriately raised hepcidin levels, which impair iron absorption from the gut, may be a factor.
authors: Centre for Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: Christopher J
authors: CJ
authors: Rhodes
authors: Luke S
authors: LS
authors: Howard
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Busbridge
authors: Damien
authors: D
authors: Ashby
authors: Eumorfia
authors: E
authors: Kondili
authors: J Simon R
authors: JS
authors: Gibbs
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Wharton
authors: Martin R
authors: MR
authors: Wilkins
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood; D065627:Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15 / Q000378:metabolism; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D064451:Hepcidins; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; C578702:HAMP protein, human; D064451:Hepcidins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron