Suppression of SLC11A2 expression is essential to maintain duodenal integrity during dietary iron overload.

ABSTRACT: Iron is essential for the survival of mammals, but iron overload causes fibrosis and carcinogenesis. Reduced iron absorption and regulated release into circulation in duodenal mucosa constitute two major mechanisms of protection against dietary iron overload; however, their relative contribution remains elusive. To study the significance of the former process, we generated SLC11A2 transgenic mice (TGs) under the control of the chicken beta-actin promoter. TGs were viable and fertile, and displayed no overt abnormalities up to 20 months. No significant difference in iron concentration was observed in major solid organs between TGs and their wild-type littermates, suggesting that increased number of iron transporters does not lead to increased iron absorption. To test the sensitivity to iron

SUBMITTER: Shirase T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2913348 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature