New signaling pathways for hepcidin regulation.

In this issue of Blood, Mleczko-Sanecka et al used a novel approach based n genome-wide RNA interference knockdown technology to identify the genes involved in the regulation of hepcidin. It showed that hepcidin suppression is linked to the control of mitogen stimulation and nutrient status ia components of well-characterized signaling pathways. This indicates novel links between the control of systemic iron homeostasis and critical liver processes such as regeneration, response to injury, carcinogenesis, and nutrient metabolism.