Vitamin A deficiency modulates iron metabolism independent of hemojuvelin (Hfe2) and bone morphogenetic protein 6 (Bmp6) transcript levels

Abstract

The HJV-BMP6-SMAD signaling pathway that normally activates the expression of hepcidin in iron deficiency is impaired by vitamin A deficiency despite increased expression of liver Bmp6 and Hfe2 mRNA levels and decreased expression of Smad7 mRNA. This response may be associated to the systemic iron deficiency and spleen iron retention promoted by vitamin A deficiency.