Hepcidin and Disorders of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Metabolism

The liver produces hepcidin which functions as the primary controller of body iron balance because it regulates the sole known iron transport protein called ferroportin. The body experiences two digestive issues which arise from hepcidin malfunction because it prevents proper iron absorption in iron-restricted erythropoiesis and it creates problems during iron overload because it activates both hereditary hemochromatosis and ineffective erythropoiesis syndromes. The study of hepcidin biology has led to advanced diagnostic methods and new treatment options which include hepcidin antagonists and mimetics and ferroportin pathway modulators. The review presents hepcidin structural information together with its regulatory mechanisms and its role in iron-related anemia and hepcidin biomarkers and assays and existing and developing hepcidin-targeted treatments and their clinical applications. The research agenda requires scientists to answer fundamental questions while making progress toward real-world applications.