Reducing TMPRSS6 ameliorates hemochromatosis and β-thalassemia in mice

J Clin Invest. 2013 Apr;123(4):1531-41. doi: 10.1172/JCI66969. Epub 2013 Mar 25.

Abstract

β-Thalassemia and HFE-related hemochromatosis are 2 of the most frequently inherited disorders worldwide. Both disorders are characterized by low levels of hepcidin (HAMP), the hormone that regulates iron absorption. As a consequence, patients affected by these disorders exhibit iron overload, which is the main cause of morbidity and mortality. HAMP expression is controlled by activation of the SMAD1,5,8/SMAD4 complex. TMPRSS6 is a serine protease that reduces SMAD activation and blocks HAMP expression. We identified second generation antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting mouse Tmprss6. ASO treatment in mice affected by hemochromatosis (Hfe(-/-)) significantly decreased serum iron, transferrin saturation and liver iron accumulation. Furthermore, ASO treatment of mice affected by β-thalassemia (HBB(th3/+) mice, referred to hereafter as th3/+ mice) decreased the formation of insoluble membrane-bound globins, ROS, and apoptosis, and improved anemia. These animals also exhibited lower erythropoietin levels, a significant amelioration of ineffective erythropoiesis (IE) and splenomegaly, and an increase in total hemoglobin levels. These data suggest that ASOs targeting Tmprss6 could be beneficial in individuals with hemochromatosis, β-thalassemia, and related disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / genetics
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hemochromatosis / blood
  • Hemochromatosis / genetics
  • Hemochromatosis / therapy*
  • Hemochromatosis Protein
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Hepcidins
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Iron / blood
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Transferrin / metabolism
  • beta-Thalassemia / blood
  • beta-Thalassemia / genetics
  • beta-Thalassemia / therapy*

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Hamp protein, mouse
  • Hemochromatosis Protein
  • Hepcidins
  • Hfe protein, mouse
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transferrin
  • Iron
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • matriptase 2