Dual Role of ROS as Signal and Stress Agents: Iron Tips the Balance in favor of Toxic Effects

Figure 3

Hepcidin regulates transferrin-mediated body iron traffic. The interaction of hepcidin with ferroportin inhibits the flow of iron into plasma and thereby regulates the transferrin-mediated distribution of iron in the body from sites of iron absorption (duodenum) and recycling (reticuloendothelial cells in spleen and liver) to tissues where it is used (e.g., for the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells) or stored (e.g., liver).