Hepcidin (HPCD)
Hepcidin (HPCD): Definition and Characteristics
What is Hepcidin?
Hepcidin (HPCD) is a small peptide hormone primarily produced by the liver that plays a central role in the regulation of systemic iron homeostasis. It controls the absorption, distribution, and storage of iron by binding to and inducing the degradation of ferroportin, the main iron exporter protein in cells, thereby decreasing serum iron levels.
Characteristics
Mechanism
Hepcidin levels increase in response to iron overload, inflammation, and infection, leading to reduced intestinal iron absorption and retention of iron within macrophages and hepatocytes. This acts as a defense mechanism to limit iron availability to pathogens. However, in chronic diseases like cancer and cancer cachexia, persistent inflammation elevates hepcidin chronically, contributing to anemia of chronic disease by restricting iron supply for erythropoiesis despite adequate iron stores.
Role in Cancer Cachexia
In cancer cachexia, elevated hepcidin contributes to muscle wasting and metabolic disturbances by promoting systemic iron sequestration and anemia. Increased hepcidin is induced by inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6, which are abundant in the tumor microenvironment. This dysregulated iron metabolism worsens energy imbalance, tissue hypoxia, and organ dysfunction seen in cachexia.
Clinical Significance
Measurement of hepcidin levels can aid in diagnosing anemia types and guiding iron supplementation strategies. Targeting hepcidin or its signaling pathway is a promising therapeutic approach under investigation to improve anemia and mitigate cachexia-related metabolic complications in cancer patients.
Key Points
- Hepcidin is the master regulator of iron homeostasis produced mainly by the liver.
- It limits iron availability by degrading ferroportin and reducing iron absorption and release.
- Its chronic elevation in cancer and inflammation causes anemia of chronic disease and contributes to cachexia.
- Therapeutic modulation of hepcidin pathways offers potential for treating cancer-associated anemia and metabolic dysfunction.
Consult with Our Team of Experts Now!
For evaluation of anemia and metabolic complications related to hepcidin in cancer and cachexia, consult our hematology and oncology specialists for tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies using Cellular Therapy and Stem Cells.
References:
- Ganz T. Hepcidin and iron regulation, 10 years later. Blood. 2011 May 26;117(17):4425-33. doi:10.1182/blood-2011-01-258467. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2011-01-258467
- Argilés JM, et al. Pathogenesis and treatment options of cancer-related cachexia. Front Physiol. 2018 Jul 13;9:1294. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01294. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.01294
