The hemochromatosis protein HFE signals predominantly via the BMP type I receptor ALK3 in vivo

Abstract

Mutations in <i>HFE</i>, the most common cause of hereditary hemochromatosis, lead to iron overload. The iron overload is characterized by increased iron uptake due to lower levels of the hepatic, iron regulatory hormone hepcidin. <i>HFE</i> was cloned 21 years ago, but the signaling pathway is still unknown. Because bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is impaired in patients with hereditary hemochromatosis, and the interaction of HFE and the BMP type I receptor ALK3 was suggested in vitro, in vivo experiments were performed. In vivo, hepatocyte-specific <i>Alk3</i>-deficient and control mice were injected with either AAV2/8-<i>Hfe-Flag</i> or PBS. HFE overexpression in control mice results in increased hepatic hepcidin levels, p-Smad1/5 levels, and iron deficiency anemia, whereas overexpression of HFE in hepatocyte-specific <i>Alk3</i>-deficient mice results in no change in hepcidin, p-Smad1/5 levels, or blood parameters. These results indicate that HFE signals predominantly via ALK3 to induce hepcidin in vivo.