Anemia of inflammation: the cytokine-hepcidin link
Nancy C. Andrews
Nancy C. Andrews
Published May 1, 2004
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2004;113(9):1251-1253. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI21441.
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Commentary

Anemia of inflammation: the cytokine-hepcidin link

Abstract

The anemia of inflammation, commonly observed in patients with chronic infections, malignancy, trauma, and inflammatory disorders, is a well-known clinical entity. Until recently, we understood little about its pathogenesis. It now appears that the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 induces production of hepcidin, an iron-regulatory hormone that may be responsible for most or all of the features of this disorder.

Authors

Nancy C. Andrews

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Figure 1

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Regulation of hepcidin production in inflammation. Inflammation leads to...
Regulation of hepcidin production in inflammation. Inflammation leads to macrophage elaboration of IL-6, which acts on hepatocytes to induce hepcidin production. Hepcidin inhibits macrophage iron release and intestinal iron absorption, leading to hypoferremia.