Hepcidin
Overview
Hepcidin is a 25-amino acid endogenous peptide hormone produced primarily by hepatocytes that serves as the master regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. It binds to ferroportin, the sole known cellular iron exporter, inducing its internalization and degradation, thereby blocking iron release from enterocytes, macrophages, and hepatocytes.
Mechanism of Action
Therapeutic hepcidin agonists and antagonists are being developed to treat iron overload disorders and anemia of chronic disease, respectively.
Research Summary & Key Findings
Hepcidin was first characterized in 2001 (Blood, JCI) as a key iron regulatory hormone. Multiple hepcidin mimetics and antagonists have entered Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for conditions including beta-thalassemia, polycythemia vera, and anemia of chronic kidney disease, though none have yet achieved regulatory approval.
Clinical Status
Hepcidin is currently undergoing clinical trials. It is not yet FDA-approved and is available only through clinical research settings or investigational protocols.
Administration Routes
References
Primary literature
- PubMed — "Hepcidin"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov — "Hepcidin"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem — "Hepcidin"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
Study-level citations for this compound are being verified against the primary sources before publication. The database queries above return the current indexed literature in the meantime.
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