# MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ERYTHROFERRONE AND PATHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2022 · $477,581

## Abstract

Project Summary
This proposal aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which normal and pathological erythropoiesis exerts
systemic effects on iron metabolism and other metabolic processes. Activation of erythropoiesis by erythropoietin
(EPO) causes rapid suppression of hepcidin, with consequent increase in iron absorption and the release of iron
from stores. We discovered erythroferrone (ERFE), a hormone produced by erythroblasts, as the principal
mediator that acutely matches the iron supply to the changing requirements of erythropoiesis. ERFE is proposed
to bind to and inactivate bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that regulate hepcidin transcription. In anemias
with ineffective erythropoiesis, increased ERFE concentrations may not only contribute to iron overload and
worsen ineffective erythropoiesis but also promote other systemic manifestations. In this proposal, we will
expand the study of the mechanism of action of ERFE, define the set of BMP ligands targeted by ERFE, and
conduct a detailed structure-function study. Also, we constructed transgenic mouse lines that overexpress
graded levels of ERFE in erythroblasts and develop proportional iron overload and other systemic manifestations
of anemias with ineffective erythropoiesis. We will use these mice to analyze the hematological and non-
hematological consequences of excessive ERFE. The specific aims of the proposed project are:
1. Characterize the structural determinants of ERFE bioactivity and the interaction of ERFE with BMPs.
 We will define all the members of the BMP family targeted by murine and human ERFE using assays for
 both bioactivity and direct physical interaction. We will define the bioactive segment of ERFE and perform
 complete structure-function analysis of the specific amino acids required for ERFE bioactivity.
2. Analyze the hematological effects of increased ERFE concentrations in vivo. In mouse models of
 graded ERFE overexpression, we will analyze the effect of ERFE on iron loading and erythropoiesis, and
 identify which effects are independent of hepcidin. To study the effects of high ERFE in β-thalassemia, we
 will introduce the ERFE transgene into the th3/+ model of β-thalassemia and examine erythropoiesis and
 iron overload. Finally, we will test the ability of a therapeutic anti-ERFE Mab to reverse the effects of ERFE.
3. Elucidate the nonhematological effects of increased ERFE concentrations in vivo. Using transgenic
 ERFE mice, we will define the effects of ERFE on the brain, somatic growth, bone and adipose tissues, and
 renal development, all of which were affected in our preliminary characterization.
Successful completion of the proposed studies will answer longstanding questions about a fundamental aspect
of human and vertebrate biology, the mechanism by which the supply of iron is matched to the varying iron
requirements of erythropoiesis. The work will provide important insights into the pathogenesis of iron overload
in β-thalassemia and other anemias with ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10440495
- **Project number:** 5R01DK126680-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** TOMAS GANZ
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $477,581
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-20 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10440495

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10440495, MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ERYTHROFERRONE AND PATHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS (5R01DK126680-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10440495. Licensed CC0.

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