Physiological iron homeostasis pathways

Physiological iron homeostasis pathways encompass the integrated biological processes that regulate the absorption, transport, storage, and utilization of iron throughout the body. Central to this system is the hormone hepcidin, which acts as a master regulator by binding to and inducing the degradation of ferroportin, the sole cellular iron exporter (StatPearls, 2023). This regulation ensures that iron levels remain sufficient for essential functions like erythropoiesis and DNA synthesis while preventing the toxic effects of free iron, which can generate reactive oxygen species (NIH, 2023). Clinical disorders arise when these pathways are disrupted, leading to iron deficiency anemia or iron overload conditions such as hereditary hemochromatosis (Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2019). Pharmacological interventions target various nodes within these pathways, including iron salts for supplementation, chelating agents for removal of excess iron, and novel agents like HIF-PH inhibitors that stimulate endogenous erythropoietin and improve iron mobilization (JCI, 2013). Understanding these pathways is crucial for managing chronic diseases where iron sequestration or malabsorption occurs, such as in chronic kidney disease or inflammatory states.

Other names

Iron metabolismSystemic iron regulationIron homeostasisIron regulatory network

Drugs targeting these pathways work by supplementing iron, chelating excess iron to prevent toxicity, or modulating regulatory proteins like hepcidin and ferroportin to control iron flux between tissues and the circulation (StatPearls, 2023; NIH, 2023).