UCLA researcher, Elizabeta Nemeth, PhD, and colleagues were featured on Univision's Spanish-language morning program Primero Noticias to describe how the human body-- and especially the liver-- react to excess iron in the bloodstream. UCLA scientists discovered that hepcidin is the peptide that acts like a hormone regulating iron absorption in the body. UCLA is currently working to develop a substance which can do the work of hepcidin in patients with iron absorption problems. This is very hopeful research for patients with hereditary hemochromatosis or others suffering from abnormal iron accumulation in their bodies.
A CTSI voucher of $8,500 was awarded in 2012 to Dr. Nemeth to use the UCLA Biotherapeutic Synthesis Facility, where minihepcidin was produced to identify new drug leads for iron overload.
Further Reading:
UCLA CTSI News: UCLA Scientists Develop Potential New Treatment for Iron-Overload Disorders
Blood: Minihepcidins prevent iron overload in a hepcidin-deficient mouse model of severe hemochromatosis
UCLA News: UCLA scientists design experimental treatment for iron-overload diseases
Merganser Biotech: Merganser options minihepcidin technology from UCLA
Journal of Clinical Investigation: Minihepcidins mimic hepcidin activity in mice
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