Hepcidin-25 is a peptide hormone that regulates iron homeostasis and has antibacterial activity.1 It is predominantly synthesized by hepatocytes and secreted into the circulation. Hepcidin-25 binds to ferroportin, a membrane-bound iron exporter expressed by macrophages, enterocytes, and hepatocytes, inducing ferroportin internalization and degradation, which increases intracellular iron levels and decreases dietary iron absorption and plasma iron levels. It is bactericidal against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and E. faecium, when used at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 50 µg/ml.2 Serum hepcidin-25 levels are increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).3
1.Kroot, J.J.C., Tjalsma, H., Fleming, R.E., et al.Hepcidin in human iron disorders: Diagnostic implicationsClin. Chem.57(12)1650-1669(2011) 2.Maisetta, G., Petruzzelli, R., Brancatisano, F.L., et al.Antimicrobial activity of human hepcidin 20 and 25 against clinically relevant bacterial strains: Effect of copper and acidic pHPeptides31(11)1995-2002(2010) 3.Tsuchiya, K., and Nitta, K.Hepcidin is a potential regulator of iron status in chronic kidney diseaseTher. Apher. Dial.17(1)1-8(2013)