biostudies-literatureAshok ANEI NIH HHSNINDS NIH HHSNational Institutes of Health107890https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6931014biostudies-literatureUnknown190<h4>Purpose</h4>The avascular cornea, trabecular meshwork (TM), and lens obtain iron, an essential biometal, from the aqueous humor (AH). The mechanism by which this exchange is regulated, however, is unclear. Recently we reported that non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells express ferroportin (Fpn) (Ashok, 2018b), an iron export protein modulated by hepcidin, the master regulator of iron homeostasis secreted mainly by the liver. Here, we explored whether ciliary epithelial and other cells in the anterior segment synthesize hepcidin, suggesting local regulation of iron exchange at this site.<h4>Methods</h4>Human and bovine eyes were dissected to isolate the ciliary body (CB), corneal endothelial (CE), TM, lens epithelial (LE), and outer epithelial cell layer of the iris. Total mRNA and proExperimental eye researchLocal synthesis of hepcidin in the anterior segment of the eye: A novel observation with physiological and pathological implications.PMC6931014R01 NS092145P30 EY011373McDonald DChaudhary SBhargava DSingh NKritikos AAshok AfalseLocal synthesis of hepcidin in the anterior segment of the eye: A novel observation with physiological and pathological implications.<h4>Purpose</h4>The avascular cornea, trabecular meshwork (TM), and lens obtain iron, an essential biometal, from the aqueous humor (AH). The mechanism by which this exchange is regulated, however, is unclear. Recently we reported that non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells express ferroportin (Fpn) (Ashok, 2018b), an iron export protein modulated by hepcidin, the master regulator of iron homeostasis secreted mainly by the liver. Here, we explored whether ciliary epithelial and other cells in the anterior segment synthesize hepcidin, suggesting local regulation of iron exchange at this site.<h4>Methods</h4>Human and bovine eyes were dissected to isolate the ciliary body (CB), corneal endothelial (CE), TM, lens epithelial (LE), and outer epithelial cell layer of the iris. Total mRNA and pro2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jan2025-05-29T21:06:35.771Z2025-05-29T21:06:35.771ZS-EPMC69310143181182310.1016/j.exer.2019.107890