Tumour necrosis factor alpha causes hypoferraemia and reduced intestinal iron absorption in mice

Cytokines are implicated in the anaemia of chronic disease by reducing erythropoiesis and increasing iron sequestration in the reticuloendotheial system. However, the effect of cytokines, in particular TNF alpha (tumour necrosis factor alpha), on small bowel iron uptake and iron-transporter expression remains unclear. In the present study, we subjected CD I male mice to intraperitoneal injection with TNF alpha (10 ng/mouse) and then examined the expression and localization of DMTI (divalent metal transporter 1), IREG1 (iron-regulated protein 1) and ferritin in duodenum. Liver and spleen samples were used to determine hepcidin mRNA expression. Changes in serum iron and iron loading of duodenum, spleen and liver were also determined. We found a significant (P <0.05) fall in serum iron 3 h post-TNF alpha exposure. This was coincident with increased iron deposition in the spleen. After 24 h of exposure, there was a significant decrease in duodenal iron transfer (P <0.05) coincident with increased enterocyte ferritin expression (P <0.05) and re-localization of IREG1 from the basolateral enterocyte membrane. Hepatic hepcidin mRNA levels remained unchanged, whereas splenic hepcidin mRNA expression was reduced at 24 h. In conclusion, we provide evidence that TNF alpha may contribute to anaemia of chronic disease by iron sequestration in the spleen and by reduced duodenal iron transfer, which seems to be due to increased enterocyte iron binding by ferritin and a loss of IREG1 function. These observations were independent of hepcidin mRNA levels.