Molecular insights into the regulation of iron metabolism during the prenatal and early postnatal periods

Abstract

Molecular iron metabolism and its regulation are least well understood in the fetal and early postnatal periods of mammalian ontogenic development. The scope of this review is to summarize recent progress in uncovering the molecular mechanisms of fetal iron homeostasis, introduce the molecules involved in iron transfer across the placenta, and briefly explain the role of iron transporters in the absorption of this microelement during early postnatal life. These issues are discussed and parallels are drawn with the relatively well-established system for elemental and heme iron regulation in adult mammals. We conclude that detailed investigations into the regulatory mechanisms of iron metabolism at early stages of development are required in order to optimize strategies to prevent neonatal iron deficiency. We propose that newborn piglets represent a suitable animal model for studies on iron deficiency anemia in neonates.

IRP1 regulates erythropoiesis and systemic iron homeostasis by controlling HIF2α mRNA translation

“…Preliminary data of this work were disclosed earlier 43 and were recently discussed. 44 While this manuscript was in preparation, erythropoietic abnormalities of IRP1 2/2 mice were also reported by others. 45,46 Ghosh et al 45 further showed that IRP1 2/2 mice develop pulmonary hypertension, an additional pathology shared by Chuvash polycythemia patients 47 and the respective mouse model.…”

Oral iron administration in suckling piglets – a review

“…It is increased with higher erythropoiesis or decreased in conditions of iron overload (Lipinski et al 2013).…”

Iron Supplementation in Suckling Piglets: How to Correct Iron Deficiency Anemia without Affecting Plasma Hepcidin Levels

“…Neonatal IDA is particularly frequent and severe in pigs, regardless of the breed and the system of piglet rearing [3], [4]. Iron scarcity in piglets is the result of interplay of several distinct risk factors such as low level of iron stores, increased iron requirements, limited external supply and the immaturity of molecular mechanisms of iron absorption [5], [6].…”

“…For decades pigs have been selected for large litter size, high birth weight and fast growth, which resulted in greater body blood volume, red blood cells (RBC) count, and in consequence, in increased iron demands. Both hepatic iron reserves and the sow’s milk are therefore nowadays not sufficient to meet iron requirements in suckling piglets [3], [4], [7]. Moreover, the molecular machinery responsible for iron absorption in newborn piglets is not fully developed, and this may explain a reduced responsiveness of these animals to oral iron therapy [8], [9].…”